THE memory of Sister Ethel Normoyle will forever be cherished by those whose lives she had impacted and those who knew her.
She left behind an incredible legacy and a centre that continues to serve and uplift the impoverished community of Missionvale and surrounds.
In honour of her memory, Missionvale Care Centre (MCC) launched an art project, named The Legacy Art project. The project is centered around celebrating and sharing her legacy in a creative and sustainable way.
According to Dave Coffey, chairperson of the MCC board of trustees, art is a powerful form of expression and provides a creative opportunity to portray Sister Ethel’s cause.
“The Legacy Art Project will simultaneously develop youth and unlock their creativity, while creating an opportunity to derive an income from the art to sustain the initiatives at the centre,” he said.
Coffey said that Sister Ethel was highly committed to youth development and believed that educating youth will positively impact Missionvale.
The Legacy Art Project is themed Phila Philisani which translates to “healing to heal”. The project is headed and managed by Lukhanyo Kepe, a youth development coordinator at MCC.
The project was divided into two phases of which the first phase comprised conceptualisation where the students were introduced to different art mediums. The second phase, which is currently underway, entails the production of art, where the artists and students are working on pieces that will be presented at the project launch and exhibition.
The centre works in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum that provides guidance and offers expert advice where needed.
“When we got involved in the project, the first thing was to recruit art facilitators.
“We could see that these students were talented and just needed exposure to art and the different mediums,” said Amanda Heshu, education assistant at the art museum.
To this end, the youth have the opportunity to work with some of the most renowned artists in Nelson Mandela Bay, namely, Khaya Ngcanga, a visual artist that does fabric collage and painting, Sanelisiwe Singaphi that does painting and focuses on print making on this project, Lungiswa Mvambi, a traditionalist and an arts facilitator and assessor, majoring in beading (traditional and contemporary), and spiritual healing and lastly, Buzwe Ngcayisa, a cultural activist and visual arts educator, majoring in ceramics and creative art subjects.
He is also a performing artist who writes poetry with an anthology, titled Our Writes, that was released in 2019.
Kepe said that he had always wanted to be a part of a project of this kind where he can impart his skills and experience to others and see individuals grow within their communities. “I am honoured to manage Phila Philisani. I know what Sister Ethel stood for and this art project is definitely the medium that will forever keep her memory alive,” said Kepe.
Emma Obrien, head of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, is just as honoured and excited to be a part of the project. “This is such a great project; we are excited and can’t wait for the exhibition to see what the artists and students have created,” she said.
– ISSUED BY MISSIONVALE CARE CENTRE
