Cape Town Winter

Cape Town Winter
Table Mountain

Cape Town Winter

Cape Town Winter
Table Mountain / Robben Island

Monday, July 16, 2007

Cape Town Crafts

Every visitor to the city should want to take a piece of it home with them. The Mountain isn't going anywhere, but there’s nothing stopping you from getting something just as unique...
Cape Town’s Craft markets reflect the many cultural influences on this city, selling a wide selection of food, clothing, arts and curios from all over the continent. Wire Art, the sculpting and crafting of works of art using wire, beads, tin cans and other recycled goods as a medium, is perhaps more than any other art form, one that can lay claim to being truly and uniquely South African. Origionally born out of poverty and lack of resources, wire art is today a thiving and legitimate artform, with many ’wiremasters’ supporting their families by selling their creations on the street corners, at craft markets, in shops and selected art galleries. Products range from CD stands, keyrings, picture frames, baskets, vases, wine racks and egg cups to beaded sculptures and working wire radios - all functional as well as aesthetically appealing. Two Cape Town Organisations have recognized the commercial value of the artform while at the same time the need to ensure that the potential benefits are shared amongst those who deserve and need them most. Streetwires and African Allsorts are commited to tackling the problems of umemployment and both believe in community upliftment and individual empowerment. By providing people with skills, support and raw materials, they ensure not only employment, but a sense of purpose and means of creative expression as well. Streetwires was started in 2000 with 2 artists. Today over 100 formerly unemployed men and women now work for them. They currently export wirework to 15 countries and supply large retailers and corporations. Africa Allsorts was established with similar aims and provide a platform for talented, creative artisans and introduce fresh, innovative ideas to the artform. Both plan have big plans for the future and aim to continue empowering people in underprivileged areas. Be sure to take home something that is unique to South Africa and Cape Town!
For more info, check www.streetwires.co.za and www.africanallsorts.co.za

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