Midlands Meander Guide, Midlands Meander Experience launched

The new 2014/2015 Midlands Meander Guide will officially be launched at the Midlands Meander Association AGM on 18 September 2014.

The annual Guide is a gateway to the Midlands Meander, a collection of arranged routes in the KZN Midlands that offer visitors the beautiful work of artists and crafters as well as a range of activities and hospitality in truly beautiful surroundings. The Guide includes essential information about each of the 143 Midlands Members, as well as a map of the five self-drive routes. It also includes useful information to add to the Midlands Meander experience, such as natural areas and conservancies, tour operators, museums, and important contact numbers.

The theme for the 2014/2015 Guide is a focus on our natural areas found in the Midlands - pristine mist-belt forests, extensive grasslands and biologically-significant wetlands. Both visitors and locals draw inspiration, peace, and fulfilment from the spectacular natural surroundings of the Midlands Meander.

New partnership

The Midlands Meander has formed a partnership with the Witness Hilton Arts Festival to bring a part of the Midlands Meander to the KwaZulu-Natal arts festival. Creative workshops and exhibitions of the unique hand-crafted work of Midlands Meander artists and crafters in the Hilton College Art Block will add to the festival's feast of theatre, music, dance, craft and visual art.

In a new initiative, the Midlands Meander Association will be launching the Midlands Meander Emerging Artist/Crafter Project, which provides opportunities for previously disadvantaged artists and crafters to join the Meander family.

Midlands Meander's GM, Ingrid Andersen, said that the Midlands Meander and The Witness Hilton Arts Festival both have a long history and share similar goals and aims. The Hilton Arts Festival is in its 23rd year and the Midlands Meander celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015.Andersen said that both parties look forward to a long-term partnership. "The Midlands Meander Experience allows thousands of festival-goers to enjoy the high-quality unique work of some of the Midlands Meander's esteemed artists and crafters." Andersen added: "It's an 'experience' because not only will there be beautiful work on sale, but workshops and demonstrations will also be held."

The official launch of the Midlands Meander Emerging Artist/Crafter Project will take place on Friday, 19 September at 6pm.

For more, go to www.hiltonfestival.co.za