All things Ogilvy South Africa
Last week the 3 British agency chaps that reside with us at Ogilvy Cape Town decided to put together a British pub quiz night, and help raise some cash for Percy Bartley House.
Below are a list of the questions and answers from the Quiz for your enjoyment, + a few of the pictures from the night. Congrats to Team Awesome for winning the inaugural trophy.
Having found refuge at Percy Bartley House, a Woodstock home for boys in need, these youngsters are now gaining renewed inspiration for life through art; a medium that has not only transformed their home, but most recently their lives too.
Supported by Ogilvy Cape Town and Write on Africa – the boys have been attending weekly art classes this year where they have been learning not only different artistic styles and techniques, but valuable life skills too.
“We have been supporting Percy Bartley House since we moved into the community in 2006. Following the rejuvenation last in 2010, this year the focus has been on helping the boys develop their own creative skills as well as a healthy form of self expression,” says Gavin Levinsohn, Managing Director of Ogilvy Cape Town.
Further encouragement for the youths has also been found in their teachers, Mkwela Juma and Willard Kambeva, who have both triumphed over hardship. Both Zimbabwean born, the two suffered years of difficulties in South Africa as a result of the 2008 xenophobic attacks and met at a place of safety where they were appointed the group’s leaders. It was there that they made a decision to make change happen and have since been working together, using art to bring about social development in various disadvantaged areas.
“Doing what I love always makes me smile and feel happy, it was a dream which has now turned into a reality and it gives me so much confidence,” explains Juma. “I believe that it is the beginning of being a part of the change that I want to see.”
“In working with Percy Bartley House, we have encouraged the boys to believe in themselves. Whether it is teaching them a new painting technique or how to draw, they can now express any idea or thought through art,” adds Kambeva.
This feeling is echoed by the budding artists, one student commented: “Art keeps me away from bad friends and off the street. It gives me peace in my soul!” Most importantly, the boys gain encouragement in expressing themselves through their artwork and aim to relay meaning in each piece they produce.
“It is an inspiration for the boys to be taught by people who themselves have seen art bring about change to their lives,” says Farlane Nsinale, director of the home and ‘mother-figure’ to the boys. Nsinale explains that the classes are helping the boys get in touch with their emotions and learn other skills at the same time: “Not only are they learning to appreciate and respect each other more every day, but they are even using the dictionary to look up words for graffiti style art!”
We at Ogilvy Cape Town see the support of the home, as well as the on-going upliftment of the Woodstock community, as a key part of our creative contribution and, as part of the long-term plan we will be assisting in the rebuilding of a burnt down section of the home. The new section will create a larger space to welcome more youths in need, with the walls acting as creative canvases for reflecting their dreams and ambitions.
Last week Tuesday Ogilvy Cape Town proudly premiered the Cape Town screening of the much talked about The Bang Bang Club movie in order to raise funds for the Woodstock boys home, Percy Bartley House.
Having initially set our sight on selling tickets to one showing, we were overwhelmed by support and requests for tickets that we excitedly set up a second screening which was virtually sold out too! With snacks and drinks enjoyed by our guests between the two screenings, it was a very successful evening.
The proceeds of the night will be put towards our long-term project for the home: rebuilding the large section that was burnt down a few years ago. In doing this we will be creating more rooms for new boys as well as an entertainment area.
This year we have also continued with our initial goal of inspiring the boys of the home through art. Last year we saw top street artists give the home a makeover and this year the boys have been attending their own art classes and have been learning to express themselves through art and colour.
Thank you to all those who supported and donated and to The Labia for making the evening possible, it really is so appreciated!
Photos courtesy of Paul Ward, click to view more of his work
Due to the high demand in tickets, and your fantastic support, the 8h30 pm show on Tuesday 19th July has been sold out – however we will now be screening a 6h15 pm show on the same evening (19 July). There will be snacks served in between the two shows.
Please contact [email protected] for ticket bookings.
Ogilvy Cape Town has been hard at work in our continued support for our corporate social responsibility project, Percy Bartley House, an all-boys home in Woodstock. 2010 saw the project grow in leaps and bounds with a rejuvenation of the home. We collaborated with Write on Africa, getting local street artists to help paint the home – inspiring the boys of Percy Bartley House through art.
In 2011 we plan to continue with our original message of inspiration through art. We will be doing this by sponsoring art classes for the boys in the home, helping them to grow in this area and express themselves through art and colour.
A long-term project that we have set our sights on for the home is to re-build the burnt down section. In doing this we will be creating more rooms for new boys to join the home as well as an entertainment area. This will also result in bare walls, which will act as blank canvases for more bright, inspirational art, this time involving the Percy Bartley House residents too.
In order for this project to move forward, fundraising will need to happen and your support would be much appreciated. On the 19th July we will be screen the Cape Town premiere of The Bang Bang Club movie at The Labia, on Orange – tickets will be R50, and drinks and snacks will be served prior to the 8:30pm screening.
Your support and attendance would be greatly appreciated. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in purchasing tickets.