Learning Through Practice
Term 2 marked another important stage in the Artist Proof Studio Education Programme, as students continued to strengthen their technical skills while developing independent creative practices. Across all three years, the curriculum encouraged students to move beyond mastering printmaking techniques by exploring observation, experimentation and critical thinking. Through drawing, printmaking and regular critique sessions, students gained the confidence to refine their ideas, present their work and prepare for professional artistic practice.
For first-year students, the focus remained on building strong foundations through observational drawing, perspective and composition before producing their first editioned drypoint prints. Second-year students expanded their practice through expressive drawing and advanced CMYK screen-printing, using printmaking processes to develop their own visual language. Third-year students continued to bridge education and professional practice through collaborative projects that challenged both their technical ability and creative thinking.
APS x University of Johannesburg Print Portfolio Exchange
A highlight of the term was the annual Print Portfolio Exchange between Artist Proof Studio and the University of Johannesburg, a collaboration established more than 15 years ago by APS Co-founder Prof. Kim Berman. The exchange continues to create opportunities for third-year printmaking students from both institutions to learn from one another while exploring advanced printmaking techniques and developing professional portfolios.
This year's collaboration centred on the theme of censorship, encouraging students to consider how imagery can communicate, challenge and question ideas. APS students joined an advanced photographic coffee etching workshop led by Paigan Kotze at the University of Johannesburg, where they explored the coffee lift method on aluminium plates. The exchange continued at Artist Proof Studio, where UJ students participated in a handmade portfolio box workshop presented by Education Facilitator and mentor, Mr Lucas Nkgweng and APS alumnus Tony Maphosa, using handmade paper produced at the Phumani Paper Mill. The completed portfolios and print editions will be exchanged during Term 3, allowing each student to leave the programme with a shared collection that reflects both collaboration and creative exchange.
Student Spotlight
One of the greatest achievements of the Artist Proof Studio Education Programme is seeing students develop their own artistic practices beyond the studio. This term, we celebrate two students whose recent exhibitions mark important milestones in their creative journeys.
First-year APS student Olwethu Hadebe recently presented a body of work in a public exhibition. His practice explores themes of resilience, transformation and growth, using flowers as symbols of hope and renewal. Through richly layered compositions, Olwethu reflects on the quiet strength that can emerge from everyday experiences.
Second-year APS student Fame Sithole recently presented her solo exhibition, Where I've Been, I Remain, at Viewing Room Art Gallery. Her work explores the emotional relationship between people and their worn shoes, using them as symbols of memory, resilience and lived experience. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how everyday objects become vessels of personal history and the journeys that shape who we are.
35 Years of Artist Proof Studio: A Legacy in Printmaking
After the launch of our 35th Year Celebration in March, hosted in partnership with Strauss & Co. in Johannesburg, it became clear that the exhibition needed to travel and be experienced by audiences beyond the city. In May, Artist Proof Studio collaborated with KZNSA Gallery in Durban, where the exhibition continued its journey. Curated as a timeline of printmaking excellence since 1991, the exhibition highlighted the evolution of printmaking while celebrating artists who began their careers as APS students and have since established themselves through major art fairs, gallery representation and significant contributions to South African contemporary art.
Over the course of the two-month exhibition, visitors were invited to engage with the work through a series of activations, including walkabouts led by Kim Berman, Nathi Simelane and Tracey Munungufhala, as well as printmaking demonstrations by Nkosana Nhlapo and Tshogofatso Nkhumeleng. These engagements sparked curiosity and offered visitors a deeper understanding of the printmaking processes and Artist Proof Studio's legacy of excellence. Our journey in KwaZulu-Natal continues in August as APS returns to the midlands for the KZN Art Fair. We look forward to sharing more exceptional printmaking with new audiences. For more information and tickets, please visit The KZN Art Fair
Artist Proof Studio Collaborates on Nareve
For many years, Gianni Mariano served on the Board of Directors at Artist Proof Studio, becoming a valued supporter of the studio and its artists. Since Gianni's passing, Maurizio Mariano (brother) and Francesco Mariano (son), ensure his spirit lives on through the work they continue to champion, working closely with Artist Proof Studio on projects that honour his memory and continue the relationships he built through the studio. The collaborative mural created by Artist Proof Studio forms part of Nareve, a documentary made in his memory, extending the impact of the project beyond the wall itself. On 12 June, Nareve premiered at CineCentre Killarney in Johannesburg, bringing together 244 guests, many from the Italian-South African community, for an evening celebrating Gianni's life and legacy.
As part of the collaboration, Artist Proof Studio produced a limited edition commemorative print through ProShop, the studio's specialist print publishing workshop. The edition featured works by APS artists Bekithemba Julius Mdluli, George Mokwena and Mohau Moholane, the same artists who created the memorial mural in Fallo, Italy. Each guest received one of the prints, marking another chapter in the longstanding relationship between Artist Proof Studio and the Mariano family, one that continues to connect South Africa and Italy through art.
Artist Proof Studio Collaborates with Strauss & Co for the YPO End-of-Year Transition Evening
The Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) End-of-Year Transition Evening brought together business, art and education in a shared space, highlighting the important role that the arts continue to play in leadership, legacy and social impact. Hosted at Strauss & Co. in Houghton, the evening reflected the strength of partnerships that connect the creative sector with business and philanthropy.
As Artist Proof Studio celebrates 35 years of printmaking excellence, the collaboration also recognised the unique role each organisation plays in strengthening South Africa's creative ecosystem. During the 2020 lockdown, YPO members Lauren Woolf and Carl Bates partnered with Kim Berman and APS on The Lockdown Collection, raising vital support for artists during a challenging time. The Transition Evening continued that shared commitment to creating opportunities for artists and sustaining the arts.
Artist Proof Studio produced a limited edition gift print through ProShop for every guest attending the event. Created by Tshogofatso Nkhumeleng and Hlavutelo Ngobeni, the prints celebrated the studio's emerging talent while serving as a lasting memento of the evening. Throughout the event, third-year students Mxolisi and Piet from the APS Education Unit presented screenprinting demonstrations using these editions, offering guests a first-hand insight into the printmaking process and engaging them in the craftsmanship behind each work.
Artist Proof Studio at Art @ The Manor
Artist Proof Studio will be participating in the fifth annual Art @ The Manor, hosted by the Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club at Norscot Manor on 25 and 26 July 2026. The two-day event raises funds for the preservation of this Johannesburg heritage site while bringing together art, live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities.
The event is free and we look forward to sharing a selection of works by APS artists and invite our clients, supporters, friends and families to visit us for a wonderful weekend celebrating art and community.
