The Orange Art Project
September 2025 update

HI everyone, Spring 2025 brings you news of a few more families joining the Orange art sessions plus outings
and programs that have been ongoing throughout the year.
Our team has continued to bring weekly art sessions to children in foster homes in Cape Town and the
surrounding areas. Each session gives the children a safe space to create, express themselves and share
imaginatively as images are made in various materials. New skills are learnt while engaging in activities that
stimulate creativity, address problem solving and encourage communication.
The families take care of the work and materials often using the images on the walls of the homes for everyone to enjoy.
Please see the catalogue of works on our website: www.orangeartproject.co.za

Programme Overview

• Sessions were conducted in 22 foster homes, 14 groups, reaching an average of 80 children per month
• Our team of 12 mentors ensure that sessions are engaging, fun and creative.

• Activities include drawing, painting, clay, cardboard and mixed media projects with a focus on
developing artistic skills, building self-confidence, having fun and reflecting on the work and
participation of each family member.
• We have introduced 4 new artists/mentors to the program.
• The families have been on various outings including institutions, river and beach visits and galleries.
• Zeitz MOCAA hosted our foster mothers (now known as the Orange Mamas) for a creative workshop
upskilling them with creative techniques and empowering them to assist in the weekly art sessions
This means that the moms feel part of the OAP and join the family in their weekly activities.
The social workers are expressing great interest in the OAP sessions as this assists them in supporting the
families.
• The Mentors have observed encouraging progress in children’s focus, problem solving and personal
development. For example, one of the 17-year-old youths has started talking to the artist/mentor. He
has been unable or chose not to speak much but recently he has been making very impressive images,
especially in drawing and talking about his images to the mentor.
• Some of the transition youths are attending the Ruth Prowse outreach program. We will continue to
encourage them to join creative sessions and to assist OAP where possible.

The presentation by Home from Home at their AGM regarding the partnership between HFH and OAP was
hugely encouraging. This educational intervention has had a profound impact on the artists and the families
over the past 5 years. Congratulations to HFH on its 20th anniversary.
The Board of OAP has new members as does the team. This news will be updated in due course. My thanks to
the Board and the team for their dedication and understanding of this education model.
A special note to all who involve themselves quietly donating soccer boots, assisting with reading and
homework, with transport for informal outings, borrowing of silk screens, discounted materials and found
objects and more. Many thanks for your generosity. This networking happens in response to a need and the
enjoyment of interacting with families and friends.

Activities
• The first exhibition of work in 2025 was held at UCT summer school. Three of the HFH youths who have
moved to transition homes assisted in the daily presentation and interaction with visitors.
• In December 2025 OAP will exhibit work by all the children. This exhibition will be held at Ruth Prowse
School of Art , Woodstock. The exhibition will be opened by Liesl Hartman, head of education at Zietz
Mocaa on 13th December.
See Instagram for detailed information.
• In January 2026 OAP host our first exhibition for the year, at the UCT Summer School

How to get involved:
• R150 provides art supplies for one child per month
• R2,500 sponsors four session at one foster home per month. R30000.00 per annum for each home
• Transport costs for outings per annum amount to R12000 per home. This includes four outings per year,
for each family.

The outings are carefully selected. They are educational and recreational experiences where the families are
involved with history, environment, geography etc, through storytelling and making images. These include
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Iziko museums, the beach, the National history museums, the Science centre,
Bird and Butterfly world, local parks and recreational centres. The children also enjoy visits to artist studios.

Many thanks for your interest and support.
Over the past five years OAP has made a little go a long way. By committing to working with the families each
week OAP has been able to contribute to supporting families that live with daily challenges. The dedication of
the artist / mentors, the contribution from the admin team and oversight from the Board has made this project
a significant part of the lives of everyone involved, the families and artists plus the broader community of
teachers, social workers and friends.

Your contributions assist our practical needs and provide the mentors and family members with an
opportunity to share skills and ideas within safe creative relationships which contribute to personal and
social reflection and interaction.

SnapScan link for easy access payments: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/hbBSmp8q
Please write to Letitia, (letitia@orangeart.org.za) if you would like to donate to the project.
Best wishes to you all,
from Jill Trappler
(jill@jilltrappler.co.za)