The Aesthete is taking its vibrancy and audacity to Clarens for The Clarens Art Experience! The open-air art and cultural event will be held at the Art & Wine Gallery gardens in the picturesque art town Clarens, Free State from 9 October to 11 October 2020, for an admission fee of only R20 a day and free for children under 12 years old. 

Expect a fantastic exhibition of South African artists, talented local performers, abstract live art, immersive art demonstrations, inventive collaborations, and more. I chat to Jes Bedingfield from The Aesthete about what you can expect this coming weekend in Clarens. Take a listen to the podcast below. 

At The Clarens Art Experience, The Aesthete will showcase a collection of stellar, hard-working artists from Clarens and South Africa, giving viewers the opportunity to enjoy and support art exhibitions once again. A selection of classic as well as some edgy artists - from painters to printers to fine-art photographers - will be exhibiting their work. Some of the 27 exhibiting artists include Lyn Hoyle, Simon Addy, Ryan and Jodie Loubser, Sam Tshabalala, JJ Clark, Bob McKenzie and many more.

The Clarens Art Experience is a great platform for artists to exhibit again following a drought of exhibiting opportunities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Artists who rely on selling art at art events will be able to sell to many keen art collectors. Hosting the event in Clarens offers viewers a full art experience as the town is renowned for its art. Local eateries are on offer in this delightful, quaint town in the heart of South Africa.

The Aesthete is working closely with SA’s top artists and galleries based in Clarens to host an event that will benefit both the exhibiting artists and the town of Clarens. This event gives you the opportunity to have that perfect getaway that you’ve been craving now that travel is permitted. There are still plenty of accommodation options available in this welcoming tourist town.

Local musicians and dancers will be adding to the festive atmosphere. Flow and fire dancers from the Midlands, Bloemfontein, and Clarens will be performing together, with an entrancing collaboration element as Clarens-based marble artist Larissa Don will be creating the flow toys. A selection of diverse dance collectives from Clarens and the Midlands will be putting on performances over the duration of the event, including the mesmerising Bonwa Dance.

A couple of interesting art workshops and demonstrations by successful artists will take place over the course of the weekend, including a figure drawing workshop, eco-printing demonstration, suminigashi workshop, a Rubik's cube master class and more. A group of local artists will be co-creating a piece of functional art at the event that will be raffled.

This event will be The Aesthete’s 10th event and 3rd independent event since its emergence in November 2019. The young and alternative art collective has created new and innovative opportunities for artists and performers based in Midlands, Kwa-Zulu Natal to exhibit and showcase their talents, as well as facilitating collaboration. The Aesthete was also responsible for South Africa’s first drive-through art exhibition in July in Hilton, KZN - The Aesthete Drive Through, which attracted the interest of many keen art supporters as well as media houses including SABCTV. The Clarens Art Experience will be The Aesthete’s debut appearance in Clarens, as the art collective takes its first step out of its base in the Midlands, KZN.

Strict precautions will be taken to adhere to government regulations and restrictions of COVID-19 under Level 1. For more details just got to their Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3230274650412929