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Artist Proof Studio
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Artist Proof Studio (APS) is a community based printmaking studio situated in the Newtown Cultural Precinct of Johannesburg, South Africa. It has become a "home studio" and resource centre for artists from disadvantaged areas in and around Johannesburg. With its state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff, APS offers intensive training programs in printmaking and organizes exchange programs with local and international printmakers. APS also coordinates art-related poverty relief and AIDS awareness projects throughout South Africa.
In 2004, Zuva Gallery partnered with APS to provide top printmaking students premier exhibition venues at Zuva's galleries in Johannesburg and Scottsdale. Students are given the opportunity and responsibility to take part in all phases of their exhibitions, including design, installation and pricing. The bulk of the proceeds from these exhibitions is shared between the students and APS. In many cases, leading South African artists provide opening addresses to these exhibitions. Each show is launched at Zuva Gallery in Johannesburg and run simultaneously at Zuva Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. This program offers APS students invaluable educational and networking opportunities, as well as the chance to launch their professional artistic careers in America and South Africa.
APS History
APS was conceived and founded in 1991 by well-known South African artists Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba. APS receives funding from government, private foundations and business to support its teaching and awareness initiatives in Johannesburg. It has received critical acclaim for its vital contribution to the cultural and artistic development of disadvantaged artists in South Africa.
In March 2003, the original APS building burnt to the ground. Its co-founder and director, Nhlanhla Xaba, was tragically killed in the fire. The devastating blaze also destroyed the work of over 100 artists and invaluable printmaking equipment. News of the tragedy triggered an outpouring of support from both the local and international art community. Printmakers, artists, curators and friends from various parts of the world mobilized their energies and resources to help finance and coordinate the launch of a new APS site in 2004. Now conveniently situated at the Bus Factory in the rejuvenated Newtown Cultural Precinct in Johannesburg, the new APS venue has been expertly designed by Julian Michaels Architects with expert input from master-printers in America and Europe. The space reflects a truly South African ethos that embraces the spirit of collaboration, development, as well as excellence.
"The Nhlanhla Xaba Gallery" is a dedicated exhibition space for in-house exhibitions. The murals at the entrance of the studio and on the interior doors carry images created from prints by Nhlanhla Xaba. They are a fitting legacy to his commitment to the artists of APS. The security fencing on the staircase and above the walls of the studio is fashioned from collaged pieces of the burnt remains found in the original studio site. The old studio thus, effectively, provides a protective shield for the new venue
The large workspace accommodates some of the best state-of-the-art facilities for printmaking. Thanks to the generous donations by the City of Boston, APS is equipped with one of the finest etching presses in South Africa, with a press bed that can print 1,2 x 2,4m plates. In addition, a Tackach direct litho press (maximum sheet size 1,12 x 0,76m) was purchased as well as four additional etching and litho presses that have been set up in the student workshop.
The space is fully ventilated with a fireproof acid room and solvent storage facility in order to keep strict health and safety standards. Full-time technical assistance is available to professional artists. It is anticipated that APS will provide not only excellent facilities for printmakers but will be an inspiration to the South African artist community, as well as being an attractive venue for many top international printmakers.
APS Mission
The mission of the studio is to provide an environment of excellence for artists to develop printmaking as a democratic and accessible medium of expression.
- APS offers tuition for a range of printmaking techniques including etching, silkscreen, relief printing, collography, photographic processes, papermaking and lithography.
- APS has an accredited learnership (NQF level 5) through the Create SA and MAPPP Setas.
- APS offers a professional workshop for artists on a contractual basis for collaborations and individual work. Printing assistants and contracted master-printers will be available to edition work.
- APS has a dynamic visiting artist programme and will continue to host artists from the USA, Belgium, Belfast, Ghana, Brazil, Trinidad and elsewhere who frequently give workshops to students and participate in collaborative projects.
- APS co-ordinates various job creation programmes for young artists involving professional internships, contract commissions for silkscreen cards, hand-made paper, graphic design and other products.
- APS is the home base for Paper Prayers and AIDS awareness programmes which provide income generating opportunities to over 150 unemployed women.
- APS is involved in other educational activities such as a computer unit that offers EDL (education, development and learning) for the workplace, graphic design, and joint educational and training placements with Technikon Witwatersrand in teacher training, silkscreen and multimedia.
- To create a learning institution for training in printmaking
- To raise funds in order to offer subsidies to financially disadvantaged artists
- To provide a home studio where professional artists and learners can gather, exchange skills and share a community resource
- To broaden the outreach of printmaking by networking with community based centres
- To respond creatively to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa
- To interact with the general art community and public by offering workshops, affordable artwork, and printing and other services
- To organise exhibitions and exchange opportunities to expose the work of member artists
March 9 2004 marks a new beginning for Artist Proof Studio. We would like to make it a new beginning for our Patron Program.
The members of the Board of Artist Proof Studio would like to encourage our many friends and supporters to become involved in providing extra bursaries for the empowerment of young artists to learn skills in printmaking - an accessible and democratic medium - that can bridge the cultural and economic divide in our society.
Since our doors opened on February 1, 2004 we have had more applicants than resources. Sponsoring the tuition of a student for a year, or sponsoring a portion of the tuition, will enable us to give an opportunity to more young people to experience a creative education that, we believe, can provide an income for individuals in their community.
If you are willing to become a patron, we will furnish you with details of the student you are sponsoring and will undertake to keep you updated on his/her progress. At the end of the year, a portfolio of prints will be presented to you in appreciation of your support.
We thank you in anticipation. Please contact Zuva Gallery for more information.
tel 480-488-6000 * 1-800-721-ZUVA * scottsdale@zuvagallery.com
Zuva Gallery * Melrose Arch * 14 The High St. * Johannesburg 2076
tel 011-684-1214 * johannesburg@zuvagallery.com
© 2004 Zuva Gallery. All rights reserved.