Just like sports, art is an effective way to connect people from all backgrounds through a common purpose. The 55th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill is a celebration of this, connecting South Africans throughout the event festival running in KwaDukuza from 25 June to 8 July. This is evidenced by the innovative Painting on Purpose art activation that brings schoolchildren from 19 KwaDukuza schools together through art.

“We want to harness the power of creativity to forge enduring connections among communities that leave a lasting and meaningful impact,” explained Dylan Smith, co-founder of Painting on Purpose. “Through this multi-staged art competition and programme, we aim to include and empower all KwaDukuza communities through the Ballito Pro. It’s an important showcase that gives school students a chance to be exposed to the bigger world of events, the scope of the creative arts, and their potential to make a career and living with their art.”

Collette Bundy, The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival Organiser, said this was one of the many community-focused initiatives running through the Ballito Pro Festival Programme that engages and empowers local residents: “The Ballito Pro attracts massive crowds to KwaDukuza, making it the perfect platform for young artists to showcase their skills. We’re delighted to be partnering with Painting on Purpose on what is set to be an empowering art activation for local youth.”

Painting on Purpose is a KZN North Coast NPO run by the husband-and-wife team, Dylan and Gabi Smith. They have conducted projects across South Africa, including Alexandra in Johannesburg, Khayelitsha in Cape Town, and Wentworth in KwaZulu-Natal. Drawing on Dylan’s background in graffiti art, marketing and graphic design, coupled with Gabi’s experience in video production and project management, the pair are improving the world for underserved communities through art.

The Ballito Pro Painting with Purpose consists of three stages. The first included contacting 19 KwaDukuza high schools calling for artwork to be submitted. In the second stage, the top 10 selected artworks were selected and the contestants partook in a Lino Cut workshop on 15 June, hosted by Painting on Purpose. The artists were tasked with creating something based on the Ballito Pro’s 2024 theme #Thisisthebattlefield #LenaInkudlaYempi. These artworks will be displayed for sale at The Gallery at The Junction on 22 July, with 100% of the profits going towards the artists.

The final stage of the Ballito Pro Painting on Purpose activation will see the top three artists invited to participate in an interactive mural at the Ballito Pro, assisting the Painting on Purpose team. This will be an interactive mural, in a paint-by-numbers type format, with the public invited to participate so as to creatively inspire and unite the festival-goers.

Their linocut artworks will also be on display and visiting crowds can vote for the top prize winner. Prizes for the winner and two runners-up include work internships, a mural at their respective schools, as well as many more goodies donated by the Ballito Pro event partners.

2024 Ballito Pro Festival Lineup

The Painting on Purpose Art Activation is just one of the many festival programme events to look forward to at this year’s Ballito Pro! Visitors will enjoy two weeks of non-stop festival fun at the longest-running professional surfing event in the world. Some exciting 2024 festival elements include:

• Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona
• Recreational Action
• Retail Delight with food, drinks, arts and crafts
• Kids’ Corner with face painting, sandcastle building, beach dashes, and Jive with Jen dance
• Battle of the DJs and After Dark programme
• Monster Energy Activation
• iLembe Surf Riders Fundraiser
• After Dark Programmes and Parties
• Litter4Tokens Awareness Campaign and Beach
• 2024 Ballito Skate Jam presented by Monster Energy & Volcom

Following the 2024 theme, This is the Battlefield – Lena Inkundla Yempi, visitors will watch the best surfers battle it out in the longest-running professional surfing event while enjoying a host of top-class festival entertainment.

Don’t miss any of the action at the 2024 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival #thisisthebattlefield #lenainkudlayempi

Watch LIVE The Challenger Series will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL's YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners.

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