As a town prepares to celebrate the life of one of their beloved residents by hosting a fancy dress 80s style disco party, the eccentricities that make Barrydale such a unique Klein Karoo town start to stand out like glitter on an otherwise empty canvas.
Shane Parade, a tribute to the late Shane Petzer, will take place on December 16th at the communal Magpie Garden as part of the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
This grand event coincides with the long awaited opening of the Karoo Art Hotel’s bar while there is also great excitement as Net vir Pret Puppet Parade is scheduled to take place from 10am that morning.
The Karoo Saloon also confirmed that Under Karoovian Skies will take place that weekend and, as per usual, some of South Africa’s top artists will be in attendance.
Sparkling Green light for Shane Parade dress-up
Meanwhile several residents have confirmed that they will be dressed in drag, super hero costumes or simply their Sunday best in celebration of the life of a man who united a community through his selfless acts.
Shane will be remembered for the way he rallied support for the voiceless, the marginalised and also the art community.
He was our champion and as the organisers of this year’s Barrydale Art Meander can confess – his presence and sparkle is already being sorely missed.
Joan Peeters’ memories of Shane
“Shane was a very good spokesperson for many of us who could not speak as loud as he did,” said Joan Peeters, one of many artists who have confirmed that they will be participating in this year’s Barrydale Art Meander (BAM).
“He was so good at promoting our town and the art and he never judged anybody’s work. He was non judgmental and that was perhaps one of his greatest talents.”
Joan confirmed that while her inspirational studio in Hellier Street will be open from 10am to 3pm during BAM she will also be participating in Shane Parade.
“Barrydale has become known for its almost unique eccentricities. I’m not sure who started that, maybe the gay community? Possibly the gay community.”
“So I guess we can see that Barrydale would attract a specific kind of person and I think it is great that we have maintained that through the arts.”
One of Joan’s iconic works will be on display at the Karoo Art Hotel as part of an Easel Exhibition that will showcase the diverse talents of Barrydale’s artists.
She added that she is excited to open her studio to the public again as this provides patrons of the art a rare opportunity not only to buy some of her latest work, but also to see how she lives and works.
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Joan diversifies while her love for art blooms
A new addition to her workspace is a Succulent Garden Nursery that highlights just how passionate she is about nature.
Joan has, after all, been living in Barrydale for 30 years and it is clear that her passion for depicting the landcape will continue to grow.
“Portraying the specificness of the landscape I live in which is the Klein Karoo, the Langeberg, and the absolute power of the water when it rains is what I do every day of my life.
“And to bring those experiences into your painting through light or other techniques is the reason I do this.
“Then you have the contrast of the Karoo – the absolute shrubland, it almost has no form, it is almost scorched earth.”
The Barrydale Catch 22
As romantic this life that she chose may be, Joan has not lost touch with reality – adding that the nature of living in a small town like Barrydale is that artists do not get as many feet through their studios as they wish to, but that they actually do not want many feet.
“I guess that is the irony of the situation.”
“You want the peace of the town, but you also want to attract people to be able to expose your work to more potential buyers.
Meanwhile all (love) will be exposed at Shane Parade and DJ Kali has confirmed that she will be playing and that she will again be in charge of creating a funky vibe at the lighting of the town’s Christmas Tree.
