The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Arts & Culture division celebrated significant success at the 2024 Free-State Arts Festival, securing two major awards. The UJ Art Gallery’s re/connect/ing exhibition won Best Visual Art Exhibition, while the innovative dance production With-Out Limits, directed by Fana Tshabalala, received the Best Artistic Design award.
UJ Arts & Culture’s participation in the festival, held from 2-6 July 2024, included the re/connect/ing exhibition, a collaboration with the MTN SA Foundation, which showcased contemporary South African art. The exhibition’s success highlighted its impact on the festival’s cultural landscape.
The festival also featured the groundbreaking dance and technology video mapping production, With-Out Limits. Presented by UJ Arts & Culture in collaboration with its resident dance company, Broken Borders, under the direction of Tshabalala, the production captivated audiences and judges alike, earning the prestigious Best Artistic Design award.
In addition to these wins, UJ Arts & Culture received seven nominations: Best Marketing Campaign, Best Community Engagement, Best Visual Arts Presentation, Best Artistic Design, Best Lead Performer, Best Director, and Best Production. These nominations reflect the division’s dedication to artistic excellence.
UJ Arts & Culture Marketing intern Nombulelo Jili, part of the With-Out Limits production, shared her experience: “Being part of the With-Out Limits production was a life-changing experience for me. It allowed me to work closely with renowned choreographer Fana Tshabalala and hone my skills in a professional setting. The opportunity to perform at a prestigious festival like Vrystaat Kunstefees has opened doors for my future career in the arts.”
Michael Garbett, CEO of the Vrystaat Kunstefees, praised the re/connect/ing exhibition: “The re/connecting/ing exhibition, presented in collaboration with the MTN SA Foundation and the University of Johannesburg, was a remarkable showcase of contemporary South African art. It not only enriched the cultural landscape of the festival but also provided invaluable learning experiences for our students. Engaging with such high-calibre art and artists has significantly enhanced our academic programmes.”
The successful participation of UJ Arts & Culture in the 2024 Free-State Arts Festival underscores the university’s commitment to fostering artistic talent and contributing to the broader cultural community.
