Among the foremost attractions of Hermanus, on the Southern tip of Africa, is the industrious and talented community of artists and writers that live and work in this beautiful coastal town.
After matriculating, with a Senior Certificate in Art History and Practical, Alyson trained as a Medical Laboratory Technologist. She specialised in histopathology, working in South Africa and London until her semi-retirement in 1994.
Her artworks are on display at her studio and around Volmoed, a Retreat and Conference Centre, where she lives and works.
Alyson’s artwork can also be viewed at The Little Gallery, in the Eastcliff shopping centre in Hermanus, an intimate space used by members of the Vermont Art Circle (15 Images, click for Flickr slideshow).
Alyson Guy’s training has embraced various art courses through the years, including working in clay at Putney School of Art in London, watercolours with Cynthia Ball in Johannesburg and drawing and painting at the renowned Ruth Prowse Art Centre in Cape Town.
More recently Alyson studied Icon-painting (Byzantine Russian method) under Anna-Marie Bands locally here in Hermanus, South Africa.
Sources: Alyson Guy Artist, Vermont Art Circle; SouthAfricanArtists.com.
The Vermont Art Circle was formed in 2003. A group of interested artists started meeting regularly to plan events and pool ideas and administration.
Exhibitions of the artists’ work have been held at the Station Gallery, Europa courtyard at Village Square, the Old Library Hermanus and Hermanuspietersfontein Winery. As a group they have also exhibited at La Vierge Restaurant and Winery in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. For the first time In October 2010 they held a successful exhibition at the Hornbill Gallery.
They meet to paint together and encourage one another in their work, plan outings to other artists’ studios, e.g. Hennie Nieman in Onrus ,Tay Dall and Dale Elliot, and have critiques by the likes of Glenda Pope. Members at present are Adi Naude, Ester de Wet, Margaret Wright, Leonie van Loggerenberg, Daria Nedeclu, Audrey Hickman, Isobel de Gruchy, Dulcie Beebe, Monica Bonthuys, Ruanda de Clerk, David Boobyer and Alyson Guy. They have prepared a combined portfolio plus a colourful postcard with a collage of their artwork.
Some of the artists welcome visits to their studios by prior appointment. Members’ work has also been on display since August last year at “The LITTLE Gallery” which is located in the Eastcliff Shopping Centre where you can meet the artists and view their diverse collection of affordable art.
A great profile of a great Hermanus artist. Hope we’ll be seeing more like this.