The festival in Hermanus – most famous in June for its ‘whale
watching’ - is a ten-day fusion of ArtsFest and Winter School. The programme is
tailor-made for discerning visitors who value a wide range of arts,
intellectual stimulation, great wine and fine dining packaged in a programme
that is varied, top class and entertaining.
The name FynArts is a play on “fyn” as in fynbos and the
Afrikaans word for “fine” as in “fine arts” or “of high quality”.
Hermanus FynArts 2014 spotlights
South African visual arts, music, literature, award-winning wines and fine
food. Exhibitions of ceramics, paintings, sculpture, glassware and jewellery
will be seen in galleries, hotels and special venues in the town centre as well
as in tasting rooms and wine farms along the wine route. There will be readings
and talks; recitals and soirees; workshops and demonstrations. By popular
request, the wine route shuttle will again transport visitors to view the
exhibitions on participating wine farms and enjoy tasting their wines. An
innovation this year will be two FynArts Wine Routes to choose from: a lower
and upper route in the Hemel en Aarde Valley.
Among the many exhibitions, a
highlight will be a special exhibition, hosted by Sanlam, of a selection of its
impressive art collection in the Old Synagogue. This beautiful and historic
landmark is situated at the entrance to Hermanus. There will also be a unique group
exhibition of invited sculptors, as well as one by Western Cape ceramicists.
A cross-section of those who have been invited to take part in Hermanus FynArts 2014 include:
Music events and presenters: Richard Cock (conductor) with an 80-strong choir; Camerata Tinta Barocca Orchestra; Bovim Ballet; James Grace (classical guitarist), UCT opera students with Prof Kamal Khan and Angelo Gobbato; Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra; Cape Town Tango Ensemble, Abel Salaocoe (cellist) ...
Artists: Dylan Lewis, Strijdom van der Merwe, Jaco Sieberhagen and three other acclaimed sculptors will take part in an exhibition which is unique for the Cape Whale Coast. Fee Halstead (Ardmore Ceramics) will be back and so will a large group of top Cape ceramicists.
Speakers and course/workshop presenters and curators: Christopher Hope (author); Melvyn Minnaar (wine connoisseur and art critic); Fred Scott (contemporary art specialist at Stephan Welz); Anton Harber (Caxton Professor of Media Studies at Wits); Niki Daly (author and illustrator of children's books); Garth Stroebel (SA Chef); Rodney Trudgeon (Fine Music Radio); Alayne Reesberg (CEO Cape Town Design Capital) ...
Objectives of Hermanus FynArts
Apart from promoting tourism to the
Overberg region through a unique arts experience, Hermanus FynArts also focuses
on the development of art through a number of initiatives. These include
exhibitions, performing and other participation opportunities to new and
developing artists as well as sponsored learning opportunities that are
reserved for people nominated from nearby Hawston, Zwelihle
and Mount Pleasant who might otherwise not have this opportunity. In addition,
the aim is that 10% of all seats at concerts and other music events are
sponsored and reserved for free admission for those who, because of
socio-economic reasons, might otherwise not be able to attend. For them free
evening transport to and from the venues will be included.
One of the long-term goals of Hermanus Tourism is to invest any surplus from the Hermanus FynArts events in a Trust Fund to establish a School of Arts in Overberg. The Overstrand Municipality supports this venture and has undertaken to help identify a suitable site for such a school.
Tickets will be on sale from early April at Webtickets and
Hermanus Tourism. Watch press for further details.
View the e-programme on http://goo.gl/NGZH7
and the detailed programme on www.hermanusfynarts.co.za
and comments on https://www.facebook.com/HermanusFynarts.