The 1885 Raadsaal in Landdrost Street has undergone a recent revival, thanks to local historian and author André van Ellinckhuyzen. From August 1 to 8, the venue is hosting an art exhibition featuring the work of six local artists: Karien le Roux, Marie Webb, Ronel Nigrini, Johlene Stear, Ronel Keeve and Marie Fourie.

Karien le Roux, who has lived in Vryheid for 33 years, is a self-taught artist who began painting in 2012. She credits her late mother, also a gifted artist, as her inspiration. “Once the painting bug bites, you can’t stop,” she says. She often turns to YouTube or friends for tips to improve her work. Le Roux paints with both oil and acrylic, and enjoys painting whatever catches her eye. Although she finds painting faces more challenging than nature scenes, she has a particular love for flowers, likely influenced by her past work at a florist and nursery.

Marie Webb has been part of the Vryheid community for over 40 years. She began painting with water colours, but was drawn to oil painting after years of framing artwork at her business, Pic A Frame. After taking formal classes, she found that oil paints suited her better. “It feels like I can create more with oil than with acrylic,” she says. While she agrees that painting faces is difficult, the reward of finishing a challenging portrait makes the effort worthwhile. Webb enjoys painting from photos, especially those she’s taken herself.

Van Ellinckhuyzen says the idea for the exhibition came after he saw Karien le Roux’s work at the Vintage Car Show. “The Raadsaal is the perfect setting for something as refined as an art exhibition,” he says. “We want people to notice the Raadsaal, not just for its historical displays but also as a platform to showcase Vryheid’s local talent.”

All the artwork on display is available for purchase.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.