Durban's NSA Gallery celebrates its centenary
This July, the Natal Society for the Arts (better known as the NSA) celebrates one hundred years of serving the visual arts community in the province.
This remarkable milestone will be celebrated in style. A special function will mark the association's actual birthday on Tuesday July 12 at 6pm, and on this occasion the organisation's new corporate identity transforming it from the NSA to the KZNSA will be unveiled.
The Natal Society of Artists was formed in 1905 by Cathcart William Methven (1849-1925) and Leo Francois (1870 - 1938). The first exhibition of the society was held in London Chambers in West Street. A highlight on the calendar year was the Annual Winter Exhibition, which was held by tradition on the night before the famous July Handicap, at the time a major occasion on the Durban social calendar.
In 1982 the gallery moved to bigger premises with double the exhibition space in Overport City. During the 1980s the organisation started lobbying for a permanent home for the organisation, and finally, under the presidency of Mike McMeekan, the organisation found its own home. On May 12 1996 the new NSA was opened by Dr. Ben Ngubane, South African Minister of Arts, Culture and Technology.
For the centenary commemorations, the gallery space will have three separate exhibitions. Upstairs on the mezzanine level there will be an exhibition of photographs, 'Artists' Spaces'- a photographic exhibition and an elegant companion glossy coffee table book book of 100 KwaZulu Natal artists in their studios and work places, by leading Durban photographers assisted by trainees.
Downstairs in the Main Gallery will be an exhibition entitled 'Being There' looking at the way KZN artists respond to the concept of place. Finally, the Multimedia Room will show an archival exhibition of the first 100 years of the gallery - from its early days in old colonial Durban to the vibrant gallery space and organisation it has become 100 years later.
More information:
Trevor Moore / Storm Janse van Rensburg
Tel: (031) 202-3686 FAX: (031) 201-8051
admin@nsagallery.co.za | curator@nsagallery.co.za
www.nsagallery.co.za
