District Six, a historic neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa, is set to undergo a creative transformation through a mural art workshop. The City of Cape Town is calling on residents, community members, and interested individuals to join the upcoming workshop on Saturday, 16 September 2023. The workshop aims to gather input from the residents for potential plans to adorn Chapel Street’s walls with art murals.
The Workshop Activities
The workshop will take place at the Lydia Centre for Memory from 13:30 to 17:30, with a range of activities in store. Participants will engage in storytelling and develop themes for the artwork. They will also establish the criteria for evaluating prospective artists and decide on a panel responsible for selecting the artwork and artists for the subsequent workshop.
Post-workshop Plans
The City will use the input from the workshop to guide the creation and curation of the mural content. The chosen artist will receive detailed feedback and instructions on how to proceed. The City also plans to showcase the proposed mural during an open house event in November as part of the broader Chapel Street Implementation and Upgrade Project. If all goes according to plan, the approved mural should be complete and ready to be unveiled on the designated walls by April 2026.
The Importance of the Project
The City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, emphasized the project’s importance. Chapel Street’s strategic location can unite the existing District Six with the recently returned community. The street has the potential to emphasize the area’s unique character and identity, making it an ideal canvas for the art mural project. Alderman Andrews encourages residents to provide insightful contributions to ensure that the mural captures the true essence of District Six and embodies the community’s vision for their collective future.
The Broader Chapel Street Upgrade
The Mural Art project is part of the broader upgrade of Chapel Street, building upon the outcomes of the Public Realm Strategy. This strategy was developed in cooperation with the nominated District Six Caretakers and the wider community through virtual meetings and open house events held in 2021 and 2022. The project aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the historic neighborhood and foster a strong sense of community and shared identity among residents.
Registration
Residents interested in participating in the mural art workshop can register by sending an email to D6ChapelStreet.Upgrade@capetown.gov.za. The District Six community and art enthusiasts eagerly await the opportunity to contribute to the project, which has the potential to reshape and celebrate the vibrant heritage of District Six through the creative power of mural art.
