Cape Town based gallery StateoftheART is pleased to announce the 10 artists shortlisted for the inaugural StateoftheART Gallery Award 2018.

After careful consideration of several hundred entries by artists from around South Africa, the judges have shortlisted 10 artists working across a number of mediums including sculpture, painting and printmaking. The work of the shortlisted artists will go on show in a special exhibition at StateoftheART’s Cape Town gallery from 06 – 22nd September 2018 for the final round of judging.

The winner will be awarded a R10 000 cash prize and a solo exhibition with the gallery in 2019.

For further details on the Award, to be invited to the opening event or to arrange a viewing, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Shortlisted artists:

Jo Roets; Janna Prinsloo; Anna-Carien Goosen; Nadine Hansen; Lezanne Kotze; Adele Van Heerden; Anina Deetlefs; Lebogang Mabusela; Tina Teles; Chloe Obermeyer.

…ENDS…

Notes to the editors
The members of the StateoftheART Gallery Award jury are Mirjam Asmal, director of the AVA; Mandy Conidaris, visual art consultant, art writer, and visual arts educator; Carol Hodes, curator and collector; Masixole Ncevu, award-winning artist and photographer; Jennifer Reynolds, founder of StateoftheART. 

About the Award
StateoftheART launched the inaugural StateoftheART Gallery Award in February 2018, to unearth undiscovered talent by artists from around South Africa and provide a platform for artists to gain industry recognition and boost their career. Five respected people involved in the art industry have selected the shortlist of 10 finalists whose work shows originality, a strong signature in a South African context, and technical skill.

About StateoftheART
Established in 2010, StateoftheART is a boutique gallery specialising in affordable contemporary art by early and mid career South African artists. The gallery offers an online ‘click-to-buy' service for collectors unable to visit in person.

For further media information/interview opportunities please contact
Jennifer Reynolds on 072 4709272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Andrea Stallbom on 061 129 1899 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cape Town business woman selected as Mrs SA Top 25 Finalist 2017 Michelle Bekker, a wife, mom and business woman from the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, has been selected as a Mrs South Africa Top 25 Finalist, competing for the title for a second time!

Michelle heads to compete in the annual Mrs South Africa Gala towards the end of the year, where the next queen will be crowned.  All proceeds from this prestigious event go to CANSA.

Beauty pageants are not typically thought of as particularly real or relatable. The gorgeous gowns, the tiaras, the immaculate hair and beauty, and the perfect and polished contestants: all wonderful to watch, yes, but not attainable in real life.

But Mrs South Africa is not the typical beauty pageant. It offers married South African women who have real-life careers, families, and hobbies the chance to compete for the prestigious title of Mrs South Africa. Glamour and sophistication are part of the criteria, but the women who enter and win all have those relatable stories we’re looking for.

We all know a Mrs South Africa: she is smart and ambitious, and cares about her family and community.

Michelle Bekker is a Wedding and event Stylist at My Pretty Vintage.

A wife and mother of 2 gorgeous boys.Michelle says “Courage is to be brave, don’t wait for opportunity, go out and create it. In my heart, I just want to encourage young, mature, married and unmarried women to have courage and to be brave to live out their dreams.  As women we need to support and empower rather than to compete as incredible things happen when we work together. As mothers, many of us face the same things, yet we live a society of isolation and instant gratification we forget that “children are raised by a village”. As a wife, I believe that the key to a successful marriage is communication and to find a mentor/friend you can trust, share and not be judged by. As a Businesswoman, I am Passionate about my job as an event stylist not only do I get to be a creative I embark on a journey with our bride’s.... many become friends this is one of the most import day’s in a women’s life. Business is about being able to server before we lead. Team work is of utmost importance. We all have a role to play. Michelle loves the phrase, “Ubuntu”. It is the Southern African word describing a person's connectedness to others. We are made for relationship.  

The Mrs South Africa pageant is about giving South Africa’s unsung superwomen a chance to get support and give input, and a platform to reach a new level of success and visibility on a global stage.

The top 25 finalists, including Michelle Bekker from Cape Town,  will go on to compete at the semi-final weekend, held at Emperors Palace on 6 October 2017, and will be submitted to intense judging sessions by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of: Vusi Zwane (Emperors Palace Peermont Hotel corporate affairs and corporate social investment executive), Candice Abrahams (Mrs World 2016) and Unaiza Moideen (business woman in the beauty industry), headed by principal judge, Cindy Nell Roberts (Business Woman and former Miss South Africa)

The Gala Dinner is a glittering event and a highlight on the social calendar. All proceeds of this event will go to the pageant’s official charity, the Cancer Association of South Africa.Mrs South Africa has the reputation of a women-empowerment programme and prides itself on real, bona fide women. It doesn’t matter what your story is or where you come from. Mrs South Africa contestants are between the ages of 24 and 49; they are mature, driven, ambitious and most of all real- relatable women who strive to be the best version of themselves. They are wives, in some cases mothers; some are entrepreneurs but most are change makers.

Mrs South Africa would like to thank their official sponsors:  Emperors Palace, Suzuki SA , Curves, Lamelle, Skin and Body Renewal, The Brow Bar SA, CATRICE Cosmetics, Caribbean Tan, Thandar Inc, MPact, Werner Dey, Anel Botha, O Connell Attorneys, Batsumi Travel, Nomination, Brentoni and Tammy Taylor Nails.

For further PRESS information please contact

Lisa Madibe,
Media Executive
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile: 073 189 7932
Office: 011 673 7567