Wrapping Up 2024!

A Year of Creativity, Collaboration, and Growth

As 2024 ends, we reflect on an incredible year at Artist Proof Studio filled with artistic achievements, meaningful collaborations, and educational milestones. We’re proud of the work accomplished by our students, artists, and partners, and we’re grateful for your continued support. Here’s a look back at the highlights of the year.

Printmaking Education 

Education is the heart of what we do. This year, our students gained hands-on experience in printmaking, curating, and exhibition planning through key programmes and events. 
Applications for our 2025 Education Programme are now open. If you or someone you know is ready to explore a career in printmaking, apply here.

The RMB Talent Unlocked programme provided emerging artists with mentorship, resources, and a platform to develop their creative and professional skills. 

We collaborated with the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme to host printmaking workshops for the visual art finalists. Led by our students and facilitators, the workshops equipped participants with hands-on skills, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. We are proud to share that one of the finalists won the scholarship, reflecting the impact of this meaningful collaboration.

A Reflective End to 2024: Echoes of Batho 

We end the year with Echoes of Batho, our 3rd-Year Graduate Exhibition. This event celebrates the journeys of our graduating students as they step into the professional art world. Their works are available for purchase online, offering a meaningful way to support these talented young artists. 

Support the Future of Art Through Our Education Programme 

As the financial year draws to a close, now is the perfect time to invest in the next generation of South African artists. By supporting our education programme through the APS Patron Programme, you directly contribute to nurturing emerging talent, providing essential resources, and creating opportunities for young artists to thrive. 

Donors to our Patron Programme enjoy the benefit of a Section 18A certificate, offering tax-deductible contributions while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Your support helps us provide scholarships, materials, and access to the high-quality education that shapes future artists and cultural leaders. For more details or to donate, please contact Heidi at heidi@artistproofstudio.co.za. 

Local Exhibitions and Art Fair Collaborations 

This year, we participated in some of South Africa’s most prominent art fairs and exhibitions, providing platforms for our artists to showcase their work. 

Highlights included the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, RMB Latitudes Art Fair and the FNB Art Joburg Fair celebrated creativity within the community, providing opportunities for engagement and collaboration.  The Roedean Art Fair celebrated creativity within the community, providing opportunities for engagement and collaboration. 

Collaborations with Pablo House and The Art Room brought printmaking into intimate, unique spaces, creating fresh connections with new audiences. 

The Origin Art Exhibition and Workshops fostered collaboration and creativity, blending exhibitions with hands-on learning opportunities. 

International Collaborations and Events 

Artist Proof Studio made waves on the global stage this year, showcasing South African talent and fostering international connections.

The 84-meter mural in Fallo, Italy, created by our graduates celebrated the shared histories between South Africa and Italy and highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives like the Gianni Mariano Scholarship Fund, which helps sustain APS’s educational programme and empowers young artists to take on such impactful opportunities. 

At the Threshold portfolio exchange brought together 12 South African and 12 American artists to explore democracy and cultural dialogue through printmaking. Each print in the portfolio offers a unique narrative, inviting viewers to engage with themes of identity, freedom, and community from two diverse cultural perspectives that share meaningful connections.  

Adding this portfolio to your collection supports the artists while reflecting the shared dialogue inspired by this election year for both South Africa and the United States. Through these prints, the artists address pressing social and political issues, offering powerful perspectives on democracy and cultural identity. Purchase portfolio here. 

The Faces and Figures collaboration with George Mason University in the U.S. created space for dialogue and mutual learning between artists from different cultural contexts. 

Two of our graduates participated in a residency in Chengdu, China, which included an exhibition showcasing prints by Artist Proof Studio. This opportunity highlighted the technical and conceptual strengths of APS artists while fostering connections between South African and Chinese creative communities. Read more 

 

A Year of Printmaking Excellence and Collaboration

This year, the Pro-shop focused on producing exceptional prints and building meaningful collaborations. Notable projects included large-scale monoprints by Sizwe Khoza and Adrian Kohler’s intricate linocuts, showcasing the technical expertise and attention to detail of the studio team. 

The Pro-shop team also partnered with new and emerging artists, providing them with professional support to refine their techniques and create impactful works. A highlight was the collaboration with Occupying the Gallery artists, featuring works from a group of emerging photographers. The project was founded by Mary Sibande and Lawrence Lemaoana. 

It’s an honour for the Proshop to collaborate on every William Kentridge work that gets printed, showcasing the dedication and skill of our team. We deeply appreciate the support these works generate, with proceeds directly contributing to our Education Programme, helping to nurture the next generation of artists.

These collaborations demonstrate the Pro-shop’s role in supporting artists and producing work that meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. Through their efforts, the team continues to contribute to the growth and visibility of printmaking. 

Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in 2025

We’re excited to share that we’ll be part of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in February 2025. Our Pro-shop team is collaborating with artists to create standout works for this highly anticipated e event!