We have reached the point where most classes have completed the final Precious Pet workshop (just Cape Town to go) and I thought I would make a few points regarding the efficacy of making that workshop centre around the consolidation and completion of unresolved work from the year.

I have had a lot of very positive feedback for this approach. Most students seem to be happy that there is no pressure to produce new work (though some did) and that  there was an excellent opportunity to look at the problematical work with a view to finish it. I had imagined that we'd be doing well if every student managed to complete maybe two works from the year (but be equipped to finish the others later). As things turned out, however, the energy and focus were high and most students got nearly everything under the belt. I was very chuffed.

In both the Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth classes we discussed the possibility of organizing exhibitions of the Precious Pet works. I think that this will be the perfect consolidation and discipline for those who don't have much confidence in their capability of presenting in the public arena. I hope to get some networking going so that we can get suitable venues for the second quarter of 2011.

Finally, well done for all the excellent work done in 2010. Generally, there was a splendid response to the classes and the standard of work has never been higher. Thanks for that. Lydia Holmes and Janice Mendelowitz (two recent 'Old Girls') are presently showing work at the Epsac Gallery in PE. The Humphreys Gallery in Kimberley have bought one of Lydia's pieces for their collection. That's the way it should be when the art-making is professional and focussed.

Bests,

Greg