A showcase of some of South Africa’s best contemporary sculpture, combined with the finest food and wine from the Franschhoek Wine Valley in the Western Cape, the Fair promises visitors an unmatched culinary and cultural day out in the country with friends and family. “The Winter Sculpture Fair will provide the perfect city escape, giving visitors the rare opportunity to savour exquisite food and wine produced by Franschhoek’s top chefs and winemakers in the magnificent setting of NIROX – a highly acclaimed sculpture park situated in a 15 hectare private nature reserve,” says Ross Douglas, Director at Artlogic and event organiser. Visitors can meander through the beautifully landscaped park, taking in the sculptures of the ‘After the Rainbow Nation: 2013’ exhibition. The exhibition has its origins in a local collection showcased by The Hague in 2012 as part of the city’s annual exposure of the art of sculpture from around the world. With the assistance of curator Mary-Jane Darrol, iconic works from The Hague have been brought back to South Africa, and supplemented with new pieces for this showing. “This event offers the public a rare opportunity to see the country’s top sculpture in a space that is ordinarily closed to the public,” says Douglas. Visitors can also purchase a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, wines, and chocolates from leading Franschhoek producers at the Fair’s country market, just in time for winter, while a separate up-market retail area will give them the opportunity to buy exclusive whiskies, scarves, leather bags, books and more. Deluxe lunches prepared by chefs from some of the country’s best restaurants – including Le Quartier Français, Pierneef a la Motte Restaurant , Reuben’s, and Cotage Fromage among others – can be purchased and enjoyed at picnic tables in the lush gardens. A host of award-winning wineries such as Môreson, La Motte, Boekenhoutskloof, and Vrede en Lust to name a few will also be selling wine and bubbly by the glass or bottle. “MasterCard is the proud sponsor of the 2013 Winter Sculpture Fair, the first event in South Africa to focus on sculpture. Inspired by international events such as the Frieze Sculpture Park in New York, the Fair offers the perfect opportunity for MasterCard to create a priceless experience for art, wine and food lovers in Gauteng,” says Philip Panaino, Division President, MasterCard, South Africa. MasterCard will be extending its support of the contemporary arts through the launch of a commissioned project. Each year, MasterCard will provide funds for the commission of sculptures for the Fair. “Through the commissioned project, we aim to nurture and promote the development of local sculpture talent, and advance South Africa’s reputation in the global contemporary arts arena,” Panaino says. Tickets for the 2013 Winter Sculpture Fair presented by MasterCard cost R100, and are available from Webtickets Use your MasterCard card to pay and receive a 10% discount on tickets and items at the event. The Fair is open from 11h00 to 17h00 on Saturday, 4 May 2013 and from 10h00 to 17h00 on Sunday, 5 May 2013. For more information, visit The Winter Sculpture Fair website or ¦ follow Art Logic SA on Twitter.