The Red Location Art Gallery and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum invited professional experienced Beaders living in the Nelson Mandela Bay area to be part of a great initiative that focused on traditional Eastern Cape beads.
Selection took place on the 4 May 2023 and the crafters were judged on the following criteria; the quality of workmanship, craft celebrating our heritage and culture, experience and innovation.
A Master beading workshop was presented and the sessions included peer to peer learning, sharing of skills and knowledge, theoretical knowledge, demonstrations, talks by invited guests.
Guest presenters included Nonongwe Celela, Amanda Qeqe presented on the contemporary in traditional beading, Steven Long’s presentation was on beading techniques and Inkozo yaKwaNtu presented on beading and cultural practice.
An overall programme facilitator, Phumla Matele, guided the sessions. All resources and materials were provided.
Participants produced minimum of 2 beadwork pieces for an exhibition. Their first beadwork piece is a replicate of the City’s historical beadwork collection and the second piece is a contemporary piece that incorporated their own interpretation.
The 20 Participants were: Thandile Woji, Thotyiswa Mbatsha, Lungiswa Gqoba, Ncebakazi Xhuma, Nosipho Siko, Kholiswa Ziqula, Nonkumbuzo Jako, Namhla Macfarlane, Nomathemba Petshwa, Nokwayintombi (Nozuko) Willem, Nosimiselo Mbata, Priscilla Nomalizo Nopote, Nomasamariya (Samie) Mkotshana, Anita Lupuwana, Nwabisa Mnqumevu, Phumelela Citwa, Vuyo Mpondo-Hani, Sekiwe Calata, Nonkululeko Ngcivana and Zingisa Mhlekwa.
An exhibition opening for the master beadwork exhibition was held on the 24 June 2023. The Opening Speaker was Ndileka Qangule. Certificates were presented to the 20 participants.