ARTIST RESIDENCY
Professional artists of different disciplines with interest in RASA’s art educational practices can come and work in the residency after they have been selected by Gerd Dierckx.
This Artist in Residence is a private initiative in cooperation with Rasa; without subsidy, and entirely on a voluntary basis.
Art sUITE & STUDIO
We provide accommodation in a green environment with infinite views of the Swartland and the mountains beyond. The art suite is private, located in a large, delightful garden near the main house. The contemporary 48 m2 suite has a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, double bed and sitting area, and a private terrace with direct access to the garden. The suite is earth-friendly, sustained by solar energy (no load shedding) and fresh mountain water. The suite was designed by architect Eugene da Silva and complemented by modern European furniture. Good internet access and a printer are available. At the bottom of the garden, there is a saltwater swimming pool and an orchard house as a studio space of 32 m².
In short, an inspiring and harmonious place.
ART SITE – Uitzicht
Uitzicht is a historic Victorian house with an adjacent art suite and studio. It is located on the Kasteelberg in Riebeek West, in the Western Cape of South Africa. The twin towns of Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel are rural working villages, full of creative people, with no rush hour. The Riebeek Valley is close enough to commute into Cape Town—a scenic drive of 50 minutes to the Waterfront and just 30 kilometers to Wellington and 45 to Paarl.
The Uitzicht garden is an ecological paradise with many indigenous plants, as well as vegetables and fruit trees. The house and garden are fed by mountain water and sustained by solar energy. The site serves as Rasa’s new head-and-heartquarters and aims to be a meeting place for artistic cross-pollination.
The owners, Gerd Dierckx and Pieter Bouman, want to stimulate the community with decades of experience; Gerd in art education and curation and Pieter as a psychologist specialising in mindfulness and meditation.
Gerd and Pieter embrace mindful and sustainable living. They chose to establish roots in this rural community and care for the kids in their colourful neighbourhood. They are involved in local cultural projects and support local food growers and crafts people. Their love for South Africa is expressed in the words and images of Xhosa poet Siphokazi Jonas South Africa a place of many names.
