Search is on for 2008 PPC Young Concrete Sculptors
05 March 2008

PPC Cement has launched the search for 2008’s PPC Young Concrete Sculptors.  The company, in partnership with the Association of Arts Pretoria, today launched the 16th annual PPC Young Concrete Sculptor Awards, South Africa’s most prestigious accolades for artists “young” in the art of sculpting.

Total prize money in this year’s competition has been increased to R75 000. The first prize of R25 000 will be awarded to winners in the competition’s two categories: Best Sculpture on Exhibition and Technical Excellence in Concrete Sculpture. The runner-up in each category will receive R10 000. Two merit awards of R2 500 each are presented to artists who demonstrate skill and ability in concrete sculpture. 

The official prize-giving ceremony and opening of the three week exhibition of artworks selected as finalists in the Awards will take place at the Association of Arts Pretoria on the evening of 29 October 2008.  

To provide young artists with basic skills and techniques in working with cement, PPC will host a number of one-day workshops as per the schedule below: 

•Tuesday, 6 May 2008 -Bloemfontein – 9:30 for 10:00 to 15:00

Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Arboretum, Bloemfontein

Tel:  051 447 9609

•Thursday, 8 May 2008 - Pretoria – 09:30 to 15:00

Tshwane University of Technology, Building 3, Room 3GO2, Arts Campus, Du Toit Street, Pretoria

Tel: 012 382 6159

•Tuesday, 13 May 2008 – Cape Town – 09:30 to 15:00

PPC Montague Gardens, cnr of Chain Avenue and Montague Drive, Montague Gardens, Cape Town

Tel 021 550 2100

•Thursday, 15 May 2008 - Port Elizabeth – 09:30 to 15:00

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Dept of Studio Art (Sculpture), School of Music, Art & Design, Arts, Faculty of Arts, Summerstrand Campus (North), University Way, Port Elizabeth

Tel: 041 504 3494

•Tuesday, 27 May 2008 – ArtSpace Durban – 09:30 to 15:00

artSPACE durban, 3 Millar Road, off Umgeni Road, Durban

Tel: 031 312 0793

•Thursday, 29 May 2008 – Johannesburg – 09:30 to 15:00

Gordart Gallery, 72 Third Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg

Tel:  011 726 8519

•Thursday, 5 June 2008 – Polokwane – 09:30 to 15:00

Polokwane Art Museum, Library Gardens, corner of Hans van Rensburg and Grobler Street, Polokwane

Tel:  015 290 2177

Limited seats are available. To reserve a place at the workshop, bookings can be made through Nandi Hilliard at the Association of Arts Pretoria on 012 346 3100. The cost per person attending is R60. 

The competition is open to students or persons with formal or no training in sculpting, who have recently become acquainted with concrete as a medium and are 18 years and older. 

Artworks will be judged on concept, craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal and a balance between technical excellence and commercial appreciation. Entries must capture the true essence of the awards with concrete as the main medium.  

Photographic entries of artworks must be submitted from 16 September 2008 to 18 September 2008.  Final judging will take place on 24 October 2008. 

Information and entry forms are available from Nandi Hilliard at Association of Arts Pretoria via telephone on 012 346 3100, fax on 012 346 3125 or email at artspta@mweb.co.za.