Artify is a brand new e-commerce site for - well - ART!

Artify is a brand new e-commerce site specifically designed for the sale of visual art.

It was created, initially, by the Hilton Arts Festival as a part of the Virtual Celebration which took the place of the Festival this year. It can be viewed on either www.hiltonfestival.co.za (click on Artify) or artify.africa

Artify is an ideal platform for visual artists of all genres to make their work available to the public.  Although only two months old, the 55 artists who have already joined are thrilled with the ease with which the site works, the quality of the art for sale ad – most importantly – that there have already been sales. Feedback from the public has also been positive, with buyers finding the site easy to navigate and very secure. It is possible to search for work by artist name, genre and medium – so finding your favourites is easy! Artify offers a door to door courier service between buyer and seller.  Nothing could be easier!

Artify is profiling many well-known names in the art world from internationally acclaimed potter, Andrew Walford, and KZN’s own much loved oil painter, Anton Benzon’s, iconic landscapes to many artists offering the public a great variety wildlife, portraits, botanicals, abstract, architectural  and still life work. Mediums range from photography to watercolours, pottery to charcoal, acrylic to sculpture.   Plans are afoot to include sections on pop, graffiti, anime, bespoke craft and contemporary African work.

Art is an everlasting gift to give. As we approach the festive season of this extraordinary year in the history of mankind, choose art to give friends and loved ones, support those who are trying to generate their own income rather than global conglomerates with mass produced goods.

Art is the soul of the nation – be a part of this creative soul.

Artify can be found on artify.africa and on FB, Instagram and Twitter. It can also be accessed via www.hiltonfestival.co.za

I Heart Market Saturday, 6 April : 9am - 2pm

I Heart Market

Saturday, 6 April : 9am - 2pm

Moses Mabhida Stadium lawns

The iconic Durban I Heart Market takes place this month on Saturday, 6 April from 9am to 2pm on the breezy lawns of the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The market, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, is focused on providing a selection of carefully curated locally made goods, with artisan food, crafted apparel and everything in between for the whole family.  

“The market’s philosophy is all about the creative process of “making”,” explains owner and manager of the I Heart Market, Anna Savage. “It has become a place where people who have side projects going on and who want to take it further, or those who simply love to create, have opportunities to test out their products in a safe and honouring environment, where like-minded people come to shop and share.”

“We live in a society of relentless consumption, where the possessions we’ve had for a few months tend to outnumber those we’ve had for a few years,” says Anna. “It’s often cheaper to replace something than it is to fix it so we keep on buying inferior items. Products at the I heart Market are carefully designed with attention to detail, resulting in quality products that will live through your most ruthless spring clean or Marie Kondo declutter, as well as the test of time.”

Anna says that there are so many stories to tell about the experiences of some of the “I heart makers”. “For example when her house started filling up with pottery, Gwyneth Gosling decided to see if anyone would buy some so she started Beachcomber Pots which now enjoys great support at the market and beyond.”

Nikhil Tricam started leatherwork as a hobby and would post pictures of his work on social media. With a positive response and a surge in orders, he took on an assistant. After a short while, he says that his small business, NT Leather Studio was sustaining his assistant’s family and this gave him the drive to keep growing.

“There is a lot to be said about shopping local and supporting entrepreneurs,” says Anna. “Shopping like this means no more soulless transactions with dead-eyed sales assistants.  When you’re shopping local, you can meet the person who makes the things you love. You can ask them all the questions and if you have any feedback, no more braving the call centre, they can hear it firsthand. Many traders develop new products or change existing ones based on what you are saying. And that’s pretty cool, we think!”

For more information about the I Heart Market go to www.iheartmarket.com

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