American Express and Keyes Art Mile Launch the Jacaranda Art Challenge 2024

Jacranda Art Challenge

Johannesburg, South Africa – In a celebration of art, culture, and the spectacular imagery of the Jacaranda season, American Express has partnered with Keyes Art Mile to pilot the launch of the Jacaranda Art Challenge 2024. Organised by Nedbank, the authorised card issuer and merchant acquirer of American Express in South Africa, this exciting competition calls on artists across the country to channel the essence of Johannesburg’s iconic Jacaranda trees into original artworks.

The Jacaranda Art Challenge is open to both emerging and established South African illustrators, graphic artists, and designers. The challenge is not only an opportunity to celebrate the start of the Jacaranda season but also a platform for creatives to showcase their talents. Participants have been asked to submit a bold, vector-based design that encapsulates the vibrant spirit of this highly-anticipated time of year, when Johannesburg’s landscape turns a stunning purple hue.

Submissions close on 24 October 2024, with artists urged to submit their designs through the official competition platform. The winner will be awarded a grand prize of R20,000. Moreover, the winning piece will be transformed into a large-scale magnetic vinyl mural on the facade of the Trumpet building at Keyes Art Mile, a landmark venue at the heart of Johannesburg’s art scene. The official unveiling will take place during the Keyes Art Night event on 7 November 2024.

The Jacaranda Art Challenge is a central element of one of the city’s most beloved cultural events, the Keyes Art Night. Held monthly, this event attracts art lovers and the creative community for an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and connection. The grand unveiling of the winning mural at this event will not only highlight the winning artist but also celebrate the power of art in engaging the community through transforming public spaces.

With Johannesburg’s purple Jacaranda trees symbolising vibrant renewal, the challenge offers artists an opportunity to reflect this. The winning mural will be seen by thousands of locals and tourists who frequent the precinct, offering the winning artist invaluable exposure.

This exciting initiative underscores the ongoing collaboration between American Express and Keyes Art Mile. Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, expressed her excitement about the Jacaranda Art Challenge. “American Express is delighted that Nedbank is hosting the Jacaranda Art Challenge, a new opportunity to support the art community in South Africa. We look forward to the reveal of the artwork during the next edition of First Thursdays at Keyes Art Mile,” she said.

The popular monthly event, held on the first Thursday of the month at Keyes Art Mile, has become a hallmark of Johannesburg’s thriving cultural scene. Wilsey highlighted that the challenge is another way for American Express to engage its members with the local art community and celebrate the creative spirit that defines Johannesburg.

For Nedbank, the Jacaranda Art Challenge is more than just a competition‌ — ‌it’s a platform for creativity and community engagement. “Art has the power to transform spaces and bring communities together,” said Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head of Retail and Business Banking Marketing at Nedbank. “In partnership with American Express, Nedbank is thrilled to be hosting such an exciting celebration of creativity with the Keyes Art Mile and continuing to give our Card Members new and exciting ways to engage with the arts in Johannesburg.”

The Jacaranda Art Challenge not only provides a unique opportunity for artists but also highlights the cultural richness of Johannesburg. With the city’s streets awash in the vibrant purples of the Jacaranda trees, the event offers a beautiful synergy between art and nature.

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