Dear artists I am writing to inform you that the exhibition for local artists namely the open call for entries and the East London Fine Art Society “Anything but Painting” Exhibition will be shifted to open on 24 July 2026.

 

The reason is the gallery has had the remarkable opportunity to work with THOMPSON PROP to auction one of the largest late estates in the country.  The gallery could not pass this opportunity for the Umtiza Arts Festival.  I have shifted the dates for the local artists exhibition to open on the 24th July 2026.  Thompson Properties is willing to work with the gallery and auction all your artworks to a National and International audience.  This can only benefit the gallery and you the artist.  I hope you understand, and the gallery and you the artist can have the maximum benefit.

 

Below is a transcript from THOMPSON PROP “We respectfully suggest that you petition your artists to delay the art festival and we will undertake to assist the local artists with our Auction Station platform to display and auction their work to our national audience of over 50 000 members on our app database which includes some previous overseas buyers.

 

This suggested compromise will allow the local artists to showcase their art to a remote audience that may not normally be exposed to our local artists. We will undertake online marketing on their behalf and we will ensure that we register buyers to bid on their work.”

 

If you have any queries you welcome to call me personally on 083 5013392 warm regards Leon.