Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to dabble in your creativity? To really immerse yourself in the world of painting? Perhaps you have wondered what it’d be like on the other side of the canvas.
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, have recently launched their artist-in-residence programme. The first of its kind at the hotel, guests can look forward to have their portrait painted or join an art class led by portrait specialist Cyril Coetzee.
Coetzee is well-known for his two commissioned portraits of Nelson Mandela – one used as the design for an international stamp commemorating the latter’s 90th birthday, and the other a double portrait of Mandela and Graça Machel on their wedding. He left an Art History lecturing job at Wits University in 1990 to become an artist and free-lance lecturer. From there exhibitions for his works have made their way locally and internationally, and his paintings have been included in public and private collections. Throughout his career he has received a number of awards, including a Vita Art Award and the Helgaard Steyn Award.
Guests can opt to sit for Cyril and have their photograph taken to form the basis of his painting, or to supply pictures of loved ones to be reimagined with different backgrounds in oil on canvas. Prices start from R15, 000 for a 60cm x 70cm canvas. For those who’re keen to exercise their creative muscles can also find themselves in a three-hour group painting class, with each group filling up to six people at R900 each. Cyril also offers private lessons starting from R3,000.
For more information, contact : reservations.mnh@belmond.com
