Experiencing ‘straArt’

Fouzia Van Der Fort|Published 2 years ago

RLabs board member Marilyn Dutlow and chief executive officer René Parker, both formerly from Rocklands.

Visitors to the third First Thursdays eventin Westridge, were encouraged to experience StraArt - paintings on walls, a 1976 VW bug, song, words and dance.

RLabs members, from left, are Cindy-lee Stander, from Rocklands, Kim Busch, Grant Collop, both from Heideveld, Lubnah Adams, from Eastridge, and Elvina Ruiters, from Alicedale Athlone.

RLabs founder Marlon Parker said the initiative, that started on Thursday August 4, had been gaining momentum with the opening of the RLabs house, doubling as an art gallery, where visitors can overnight via Airbnb.

Alicia Roberts, 6, from Strandfontein Village, looks at her reflection in this rim.

The house has since had its artworks changed but the theme ‘’#makinghopecontagious’’ has spread beyond its walls.

Mogammad Zayd Bartlett, from Rocklands, explains this Falko Fantastic creation.

On Thursday October 6 RLabs hosted a street art festival, with renowned works by Falko Fantastic, SethOne, Wayne Bks and Andre Beukes.

Dailen Jacobs, from Lentegeur, captures the hope.

The evening included a walk around the block and entertainment by Mitchell’s Plain born and bred talents - rap duo LNV & G-Tight, songbird Jodi Jantjies and poet Chelsea Firelilly.

Shahied Edwards, 28, from Westridge, says seeing this artwork gives him hope to see a brighter future.

Mitchell’s Plain Krump showed off some moves in the parking lot of the Afrikaanse Christelike Vroue Vereeniging (ACVV).

The house at 38 Silverhurst Street in Westridge, is open from 5.30pm until 8pm, on the first Thursday of the month and is open for gallery tours on Saturdays from 9.30am until 11.30am.

For more information call 071 205 6186, 068 019 6510, visit www.rlabs.house or email house@rlabs.org

Frank Adonis and his son Marcus, from Westridge.