The Barn
Artemis is the ancient Greek goddess of the moon and untamed places. Guardian of our imagination and wild natures. Artemis is the name given to a piece of beauty in the Franschhoek valley in the Cape wine lands, home to two lucky artists who work from home, Andrea Desmond-Smith and Kobus Stander. Here peace and tranquillity are only broken by the sound of Kobus at his forge, or a four letter word hurled at some bird trying to snatch a fish.
Situated on the road to Chamonix there is a barn "Artemis Barn" where Andrea paints and gives art courses. Other activities are life drawing, and all art related activities, as well as displays of Kobus' work.
In 2000 a labyrinth was constructed to give thanks for Kobus returning to good health once more. It was decided to orientate the axis of this labyrinth on a special mountain which Andrea calls “Mother Mountain” and the lowest point of the Franschhoek pass as it went over the mountains to Villiersdorp. Later, when Kobus checked the orientation using a G.P.S. it was found to be on an axis that was EXACTLY East/West! The barn has also been found to have a special relationship to the labyrinth. We walk the labyrinth as a group every year at the summer solstice 21st to 23rd December. Everyone is welcome, and we always have something extra as well, to enlarge appreciation of life and the living of it. In fact the whole of Artemis is a celebration of the abundance of living with nature and the imagination.
Situated on the road to Chamonix there is a barn "Artemis Barn" where Andrea paints and gives art courses. Other activities are life drawing, and all art related activities, as well as displays of Kobus' work.
In 2000 a labyrinth was constructed to give thanks for Kobus returning to good health once more. It was decided to orientate the axis of this labyrinth on a special mountain which Andrea calls “Mother Mountain” and the lowest point of the Franschhoek pass as it went over the mountains to Villiersdorp. Later, when Kobus checked the orientation using a G.P.S. it was found to be on an axis that was EXACTLY East/West! The barn has also been found to have a special relationship to the labyrinth. We walk the labyrinth as a group every year at the summer solstice 21st to 23rd December. Everyone is welcome, and we always have something extra as well, to enlarge appreciation of life and the living of it. In fact the whole of Artemis is a celebration of the abundance of living with nature and the imagination.
Courses & Classes
Kobus Stander hosts several courses;
1) Cheats bread making course for 6 to 8 people, done on demand or by previous arrangement. This is very light hearted and great fun, it takes place in his workshop and the bread is baked in the pottery kiln. during waiting times ie. for the bread to rise or bake we go for a walk in the garden. On completion we finish the day by having some cheese and wine with freshly baked bread for lunch.
2) The Blacksmithing course is done one on one where the participant will make his or her own item from steel, like a candle holder or coat hook, depending on time and previous experience level.
Andrea Desmond-Smith During her 15 years of teaching adults, Andrea has come to realise that there is no such animal as "the teacher" or "the pupil". This traditional aspect is so often reversed that she has come to regard her classes as a safe space where a person can explore aspects of the personality which are termed "the imagination" Art is a long and intriguing journey which cannot be judged by criteria such as success or talent. The creative process is far more important than the result which is seen as the "finished" art work.
Andrea Desmond-Smith During her 15 years of teaching adults, Andrea has come to realise that there is no such animal as "the teacher" or "the pupil". This traditional aspect is so often reversed that she has come to regard her classes as a safe space where a person can explore aspects of the personality which are termed "the imagination" Art is a long and intriguing journey which cannot be judged by criteria such as success or talent. The creative process is far more important than the result which is seen as the "finished" art work.
The Labyrinth
In 2000 a labyrinth was constructed to give thanks for Kobus returning to good health once more. It was decided to orientate the axis of this labyrinth on a special mountain which Andrea calls “Mother Mountain” and the lowest point of the Franschhoek pass as it went over the mountains to Villiersdorp. Later, when Kobus checked the orientation using a G.P.S. it was found to be on an axis that was EXACTLY East/West! The barn has also been found to have a special relationship to the labyrinth. We walk the labyrinth as a group every year at the summer solstice 21st to 23rd December. Everyone is welcome, and we always have something extra as well, to enlarge appreciation of life and the living of it. In fact the whole of Artemis is a celebration of the abundance of living with nature and the imagination.
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