The American Corner Pretoria (ACP) located in the Es’kia Mphahlele Community Library in the heart of the City of Tshwane, has for many years been a place for creativity, dialogue, and engagement. Through the difficult time of the pandemic, significant developments have happened at ACP: The American corner in Pretoria launched a fresh new art, and entrepreneurship space called ARTS@ACP in June of 2021. In order to infuse the space with energy and creativity, the development and design of the space is a collaborative process. While the challenges of COVID-19 are not yet over, this initiative is designed to support broader opportunities and stronger resilience for Tshwane’s creative entrepreneurs and artisans when the time is right.
The U.S. Embassy invited artists, illustrators, and curators to apply for a two-part program with an accomplished, well-known American visual artist named Alexandra Grant. In part 1, eight Facilitators were trained in a specific, interactive methodology that interprets a compelling poem or other significant work of spoken/written art into a collaborative visual art installation during a virtual workshop. In part 2 the general public has been invited to contribute to a collaborative, permanent mural installation.
The art is be inspired by the incredible South African poem, ‘A Celebration’ written by Fadzai Nova and Desire Noxolo Mahlangu. This installation is taking place from 12-27 May 2021. The facilitators are guiding the public installation within the ARTS@ACP space.
Ms Simone (Tshegofatso Seoka) is one of the 8 facilitators selected to facilitate the program at the Eskia Mphahlele Library at Sammy Marks Square in Pretoria.
