Young artists from the Upper Highway excelled in an art competition that marked the opening of an education facility at the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary in Camperdown.
The competition attracted 550 artworks, all featuring birds of prey, and was aimed at creating awareness of the importance of raptors and of the threats to their survival. Winners included Waterfall Prep’s Sinqobile Mpangose, whose mixed media artwork portrayed a White-backed vulture.
Using feathers found in her garden, Lara Crane of St Mary’s created a show-stopping picture of a Bearded Vulture, while Thomas More’s Ethan Cooke won a prize for his remarkable pencil drawing of a raptor’s face.
Also from Thomas More, Violet Macgregor and Nicola Manley were highly commended for their gorgeous artworks. All entrants received Raptor Rookie Certificates. Among the generous sponsors of the grand opening were Michelle Browne, owner of Craft Haven in the Kloof Village Mall, who donated fabulous prizes for the winning artists, and Bizlink who sponsored the posters and brochures.
The major funder of the new facility was Hillcrest-based African Conservation Trust. Chairman of ACT and guest of honour, Carl Grossman, addressed the audience on the critical role that Shannon Hoffman and her team at the sanctuary play in conserving raptors.
– Andrea Abbott
082 925 3023, www.africanraptor.co.za