Umcebo is an isiZulu word meaning “treasure”

The Umcebo Trust is a public benefit non-profit organization, which was registered on 22nd May 2003.  The Trust aims to establish and maintain an inclusive  studio workspace for people with special needs and other community members, to use and develop their artistic talents as a means of personal and creative development, as well as to generate income. Umcebo is committed to the broader education and the development of skills for people with special needs, but also aims to include those who have various abilities – encouraging contact between all people no matter what their abilities. The idea is for participants to develop mutual understanding and awareness of each other in a mutual exchange of ideas and skills. Umcebo believes that personal empowerment and improved self-awareness is brought about through art, craft, creativity, learning and teaching. It is this collaboration that works towards inclusion of participants in the fullest sense.

Umcebo Trust was established by Robin Opperman, and was born out of his work as a special needs Art teacher for thirteen years. Robin’s work with school students has provided a working model for Umcebo. This work has resulted in a strong working relationship with the community as well as various organizations both here and internationally. Umcebo aims to take this work further, and offer it more broadly, through the establishment and maintenance of an art workspace and retail outlet, in the future, expanding into their own building, where individuals and organisations throughout Durban can collaborate in the development of unique arts, crafts and other projects.

Through this process, learners and members of surrounding communities are able to educate, empower, and inform themselves about the potential and possibilities for arts and crafts. They have forged important partnerships with a variety of educational institutions in Durban, such as DUT(Durban University of Technology) and UKZN Edgewood Campus where tertiary education students can come and work with them and their crafters in a mutually beneficial project oriented environment.

 

Highlights:

2008
Ø  Participation in 2008 Design Indaba
Ø  Sale of work to Bead Merchants of Africa and Bead Boys (Cape Town)
Ø  New collection of décor and lighting range for Tucker Robbins New York.
Ø  Hosting of Arts Admin Learnership candidates, in conjunction with Department of Arts and Culture.
Ø  Hosting of final year DUT Fine Art Students as part of their workplace experience.
Ø  Part of review panel to evaluate DUT Fine Art Programme.

2006/7

Ø  Production of range of beaded cactuses for Obbligato (a retail outlet for decor items).
Ø  Production of garment collection for SA Fashion Week (Sandton – Gauteng).
Ø  Production of garment  collection and accessories for Holmes Brothers (a retail fashion outlet in Durban).
Ø  Production of chandeliers and beaded wall lights and other items for a growing number of retail decor outlets in Durban.
Ø  Running of banner making workshops at UKZN Edgewood Campus.
Ø  Production of “Top Billing” hat for the television lifestyle programme.
Ø  Production and sale of artwork (beaded mugs) at Positive Art Exhibition (Sun City).
Ø  Exhibition and Presentation at Agenda Launch.
Ø  Attendance and presentation at LACA (Limpopo Arts and Crafts Association) arts and craft conference.
Ø  Collaborative workshops with Carol Potter and DUT final year jewellery design students.
Ø  Collaborative workshops with University of Indiana South Bend – Social Action Project participants.
Ø  Production of chandelier collection for Vectorlogistics and for display the 2007 Cape Town Design Indaba.
Ø  Production of a banner for the New Oprah Winfrey School in Johannesburg.
Ø  Production of banner for the Union of Jewish Women
Ø  Production of fish mural for new SunCoast Casino Hotel.
Ø  Production of artwork for Rita Marley.
Ø  Move to fully integrated retail and workshop experience at uShaka Village Walk, Ushaka Marine World.
Ø  Production of the Celebrating Change, collection of banners with MIET and Africaignite, working with community members around the education centres in KwaZulu-Natal and North West Provinces.
Ø  Production of a chandelier entitled ‘The Star of Ulundi’ as a gift to King Goodwill Zwelitini.
Ø  Production of beaded lighting range for the Azura Hotel (Mozambique), voted one of the top hundred hotels in the world, by Tattler Magazine.

2005
Ø  Sale of ‘Music Through The Eyes of Children’ collection to KZN Provincial Premiers Office.
Ø  First Interface Animation Festival (Umcebo was a co-host with the Durban International Film Festival).
Ø  Production of our first collection of Umcebo bead and crystal necklaces.
Ø  Production of our first wearable collection of dresses and jackets.
Ø  Collaboration with “YEBO” (Canada), and exhibition of banners in Toronto.
Ø  Art for Humanity collaboration and banner exhibited and sold at their Durban Art Gallery ‘Women for Children’ launch.
Ø  End of year exhibition at Durban Art Gallery.

2004
Ø  Collaborative, painting project - ‘Music Through The Eyes of Children’, with Italian artist Severa Rech Cassarino, hosted by the Italian Consulate
Ø  Participation in the Cell-C national Cow Parade exhibition
Ø  Participation jointly in the Celebrate Durban Carnival and Awesome Africa Festival
Ø  Banner commissions for the South African Constitutional Court
Ø  Commissioned work continues to enjoy increasing support both nationally and internationally. At present we have sent work to France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Canada and the USA

2003
ØThe Hamlet Foundation Presidential Award
Ø  The exhibition of the Umcebo Banner Collection held at the Alliance Française Durban, hosted by the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française and French Institute of South Africa, which subsequently travelled nationally and to Europe

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