Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” – Picasso.  

More than just a place for art lovers to immerse themselves in creative beauty, The Gallery at Ballito Lifestyle Centre is also a platform for local artists to showcase their talent. Curated and managed by Sarah O’Reilly, with her team members, David Wachania and Bonile Thesele, this unique space is home to paintings, drawings, prints, mixed media, sculptures, ceramics, woven ware and more. Meet the team behind this wonderfully inspiring space in the heart of The Studios.

SARAH O’REILLY

The Gallery curator and manager, former high school teacher and art major, Sarah’s creativity was nurtured in her artist mother’s colourful sewing room and beautiful garden in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, where Sarah spent many hours as a child.

“I grew up surrounded by brightly coloured beads, fabrics, buttons and flowers. Both my parents were also in the medical field, though, with my dad a doctor and my mom a nurse, so I was torn between the two when deciding on my career path,” she says.

After a gap year abroad, Sarah went to Stellenbosch University, where she started a BA degree in humanities. It wasn’t long before the Fine Arts department caught her interest, however, and she switched paths. While studying art, Sarah became fascinated with print making. “The technical side appealed to the logical side of my brain. It’s very structured and brought some order to the creative chaos of the art world.”  
After graduating with an honours degree in Fine Arts, Sarah worked with her mom for two years, running a busy flower and décor business, before finding her way to teaching. She became a high school art teacher at Maritzburg College and, when she and her husband relocated to Ballito in 2017, she started working at Ashton International College.

Former curator of The Gallery and well-known artist, Jane Digby, approached Sarah to gauge her interest in taking on the role of gallery curator in 2023. “I was in awe of Jane’s work and often took my students to her exhibitions. We formed a relationship over the years, and when Jane decided to take a step back from The Gallery to spend more time in her studio painting, she asked me if I would be interested in a new challenge.”
Now, Sarah oversees The Gallery – planning exhibitions, sourcing artists, selecting themes, hosting workshops and finding creative ways to activate art in and around the centre.

“After starting as a big pop-up, The Gallery has now rooted itself into the North Coast community. The smaller space works beautifully alongside Coffee Lab at The Studios, and it’s the perfect place for people to come, browse and appreciate art.”

The Gallery features a new exhibition under a different theme every two months, and the popular First Thursday event every month includes live music, wine tastings and late evening shopping.

“Art feeds your soul. This space allows you to slow down and truly take it in, and in our fast-paced, chaotic and demanding world, art asks nothing of you. Just come in and take what you need from the work.”
 

DAVID WACHANIA

Born in Kenya, 47-year-old David moved to South Africa 24 years ago. What started as a holiday to visit his aunt in Bloemfontein ended up being a life-changing decision for the young artist.

David’s first job in Kenya was working for Coca-Cola, painting billboards, small shops and kiosks, which were hand-painted in those days.
Despite being a talented artist, when David arrived in South Africa and decided to stay, he found himself in the insurance industry. “When you land in a new country, you do whatever you can to survive,” he says.

While on an insurance conference trip to Durban, David serendipitously met an established and well-known Kenyan artist, Wakaba Mutheki. “Wakaba introduced me to the art world in South Africa. He was working for a gallery in Ballito looking for artists, so I gave him my portfolio and got the job soon afterwards.”

Although he was initially an assistant (and slept on Wakaba’s couch for over a year), David quickly started creating his own paintings. “I was paid for every painting of mine that sold. It was an amazing time,” he says. “I learned a lot about sales, hanging art and, most importantly, interacting with the public.”

David left the gallery and went on his own as a freelance artist for a while before being approached by a former customer to run their framing and art shop in Ballito, which he eventually took over a year and a half later.

“When Jane Digby contacted me and told me about the big pop-up gallery they were planning at Ballito Lifestyle Centre, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Since then, David has brought his vast experience as an artist and art seller, and his expertise in framing and hanging to the Gallery. He preps the walls for exhibitions and works closely with Sarah to source art. Although his art style is palette knife, textured impressionism, David says the artists he looks up to include Jane Digby, Gift Dlamini and Jabulani Cele, amongst many others.  

David can be found in The Gallery on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. With his wealth of knowledge of the art world he is a great conversationalist and source of guidance whether simply appreciating or purchasing art.

BONILE THESELE

He may be young, but 25-year-old Bonile is determined and incredibly ambitious. His creativity and unique ability to express himself, though, were what led him to work at The Gallery.

Bonile lived in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape until his family moved to Tongaat on the North Coast when he was in Grade 2. “I struggled at first because of the language barrier. I grew up speaking Sesotho.” Despite the challenges, Bonile excelled at school and found a deep love for poetry and a passion for debating.

“I took a gap year after school, but it was 2020, so I didn’t feel like I was missing out on much. Everyone was taking a gap year in a way because of Covid,” he says, laughing.

During this time, Bonile focussed on his poetry and debating, entering various competitions, including a national debate challenge on SABC and SA’s Got Talent. “I used 2020 to rediscover myself and figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”

Having always been fascinated with politics and current affairs, Bonile applied and was accepted to Rhodes University, where he studied politics, law and psychology. During his holidays, he returned to KZN and worked at retail stores at The Studios at Ballito Lifestyle Centre. Here, he met David, who was working at the Gallery.

“They needed someone to fill a full-time sales and admin role. Although I’m not an artist, I am passionate about creativity, expressing myself and sharing a message – much like visual artists.”

Bonile’s role at the Gallery is to support David and Sarah, from whom he says he is learning a lot.
Bonile’s deep appreciation for literature and poetry and his innately creative spirit have made him a great fit at The Gallery. He is also studying part-time, doing his postgraduate degree in Psychology.

“I believe we have a big mental health issue in South Africa, especially within certain communities, and I dream of being able to help people one day. That is also why I love interacting with people at The Gallery, as it is such a calm, healing and inspiring space.”