Santam Exhibits 2014 Santam Child Art winners

Santam CEO Ian Kirk.

Santam CEO Ian Kirk and Tersia Mdunge, CSI manager presented Kayla Molenaar from Kenridge Primary School and Juria Brand from Kiddie Create Art School in Bellville with canvasses of their artworks.

Santam CEO Ian Kirk recently opened a special exhibition at the company’s head office in Bellville that showcases the 13 winning entries of the 2014 Santam Child Art competition.

The Santam Child Art competition this year collaborated with UNICEF South Africa on the theme of ‘Children’s rights’. The 13 winning artworks will be featured in the 2015 edition of Santam’s prestigious calendar which will be distributed to a large network, including Santam clients and UNICEF South Africa stakeholders.

Two of the winning artists; Kayla Molenaar from Kenridge Primary School and Juria Brand from Kiddie Create Art School in Bellville attended the exhibition opening and received framed canvasses of their artworks.

Kirk said it has been proven that creating art expands a child's ability to interact with the world around them. “We at Santam are immensely proud of our flagship Corporate Social Investment project – Santam Child Art.

“Since the beginning of time, art has been a universal language that has bridged cultural and linguistic barriers. Creative arts have always been a major force for cultural and social development in South Africa,” Kirk said.

Juria Brand thanked Santam for the opportunity given to all the young aspiring artists like her and the exposure they received through the competition.

“I am honoured and privileged that my artwork has been selected for the 2015 calendar. “This is also encouragement to continue with my art classes in the future and who knows it might even become my career one day.”

She also thanked her art teacher Chantel Otto, for her encouragement and guidance without which she would not have had the confidence to enter the competition. “To my parents; thank you for your support and just being there for me. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my Heavenly father for the talent I received and my wish to continue to honour Him through my art,” she said.