Like therapy with a paint brush at Randburg Art Society
Weekly creative gatherings offer locals a safe space to build friendships, learn new skills and boost their mental well-being.
Randburg Art Society members showcased their vibrant talents at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre on Wednesday, exploring a theme of reptiles, insects and sea creatures.
Randburg Art Society treasurer Karen des Fontaine highlighted how the themes and weekly meetings encourage members to get out of their comfort zones, providing them with a safe space where like-minded people can gather and paint together.
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“Members don’t have to always create something, but through the themes they get to challenge themselves,” said Des Fontaine. “They can be as free as they want in their interpretations, but they get offered a chance to stimulate their minds, be creative, and also build friendships with the social aspect our exhibitions offer.”
She further highlighted the calibre of artists the group has, emphasising that each one has their preferred method, whether it be oil painting, pastels, watercolour or acrylic – through these gatherings, members showcase their work, get smiley face stickers and place them on their favourite art pieces.
Rodgers Else, who has been an art fanatic from a young age and enjoys doing landscape and alleyway paintings, shared how the group’s weekly gatherings and monthly exhibitions leave him feeling.
“It gives you a real boost. You leave here feeling really fulfilled,” said Else. “It’s honestly like therapy. Instead of being stuck at home, getting sick with dementia and stuff, you stay entertained and busy. It is actually like pollination.
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Being around so many artists, we learn from each other every single time. We educate each other and suggest ideas that literally transform the paintings. It is insane because you hear one comment and think: ‘Wow, how come I didn’t think of that?’. It is just so special.”
He reflected on a saying one of his high school art teachers told him, that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The saying has stayed with him all these years, and he continues to live by it, as he creates artwork.
“If you have a beautiful painting, you keep it on your wall, you can pass it on to your children and it doesn’t change, as the beauty continues,” he said.
Members of the group concluded the day with cake and tea as they celebrated two birthdays, reminding residents that anyone can paint – it is just a matter of practising often and having fun.
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