Little artists are in town

Roosevelt Park is home to the newest eye candy in the suburb – Little Artists School’s gallery.

The school was founded in 1995 by Edward Selematsela who recognised the need to hone artistic skills of underprivileged children, and to alleviate the number of Johannesburg’s street children.

“When I completed my graphic design course at what is currently known as Central Johannesburg College, I used to see guys hanging around the streets stealing from people’s cars and I said to myself let me start with this art project and see where it’s going to take us,” Selematsela said.

The school has since equipped about 275 children from different backgrounds with multimedia art skills, some as young as six years old.

“I believe painting and drawing are an introduction to the world of art. Art goes deeper than just painting. If you want to go to deeper art, you need to explore conceptual art, cubism and things like that. For a person to have a breakthrough, they need to break some rules and bring their own element into art,” Selematsela advised.

He said it wasn’t an easy journey as some students couldn’t commit to the project, which was self-funded at the time.

For him it was the passion for art that kept the school going and witnessing the expression on the students’ faces when they were complimented on their artwork.

Little Artists has since been sponsored by Deutsche Bank South Africa, which has remained the school’s anchor sponsor.

Selematsela’s talent was spotted at a very young age and had his first radio interview with Thobela FM when he was in Grade 7. He has set his mind on making a difference one disadvantaged child at a time.

The gallery will officially launch on 13 April at 144 Milner Avenue, Roosevelt Park, where the unique artworks will be sold.

Little Artists School runs on Tuesday and Thursday at Barnato Park High School in Berea from 2pm to 5pm.

Details: Little Artists School gallery 011 888 9120.