We had a tough time pinning down JAG’s new Education Officer for a chat since his appointment earlier this year. Colin Groenewald hit the ground running and has already made great strides in reinvigorating JAG’s educational offering.
“…we had our first educational session in the workshop room (next to ‘Free from my happiness’) on the 27th May 2016. The workshop saw 20 Grade 10 learners from New Model Private College write down their responses to the surrounding exhibition on the wall in chalk. The writing on the wall emulates the classroom and activates the voice of the gallery viewer within the workshop room. The workshop was filmed and photographed, and the idea is to use this footage to apply for funding for further educational sessions. Chalk has been left in the workshop room, and we invite the public to voice their own opinions”
Colin obtained his BFA at Rhodes University in 2010 and spent a further two years studying communication design, followed by an intensive course in curatorial practice. He brings to the position an understanding of the need for social engagement to further the arts within the public realm.
For JAG’s Youth Day programme, Colin managed to procure the screening rights for The People versus the Rainbow Nation, a documentary directed by Lebogang Rasethaba, produced by Allison Swank and commissioned by MTV Base. The documentary goes behind the headlines and the news footage of recent student mass action campaigns #rhodesmustfall and #feesmustfall and asks why South African youth believes the struggle is far from over.
Asked about the challenges of his new job, Colin doesn’t hesitate to appeal for public support. Funding, resources and skills are scant, and public donations, sponsorships and skills volunteers will boost JAG’s ability to host more workshops and reach wider audiences.
You can contact Colin at: +27 11 725 3130 or ColinG@joburg.org.za