Learners across Mpumalanga merged science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics to deliver striking visual social commentary and cutting-edge design concepts.

Innovation and artistic flair took centre stage at the Mbombela Art Gallery when the Mpumalanga Department of Education hosted its 22nd annual Visual Arts and Design Competition exhibition from August 3 to 7.

The initiative was open to Grade 10 to 12 learners across the province, affording aspiring artists the opportunity to explore their craft and receive critical and professional feedback, including those from remote schools without formal art or design subjects.

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Currently, 12 schools in the province offer visual arts, while nine offer design studies as subjects in the Further Education and Training phase (Grades 10 to 12). The annual competition aims to promote both disciplines, championing curriculum redress to encourage previously disadvantaged schools to implement these subjects in the future.

Category winners announced

The department held a prize-giving for the winning artists on August 4.

• Madri van Niekerk of Hoërskool Ermelo received first place in the formal visual art schooling category.
• Alex Khumalo of Mhlume Senior Secondary in Clau-Clau won the non-formal visual art schooling category.
• Demi Claeys of HTS Middelburg won the formal design schooling category.
• Tineke van Dyk of HTS Middelburg won the non-formal design schooling category, despite not taking design as a subject.