Santie Cronje
Santie Cronje is a contemporary artist and gallery owner (with horticulture partner Shane Berger) whose creative practice intertwines her artistic endeavours with her role as a curator and mentor. Santie organises her time to allow for a range of activities including painting, creating dried flower arrangements, and maintaining both her own and the gallery’s profiles. The studio is considered not just a workspace but a vibrant hub of creativity.
Creativity is more than a profession for Santie – “I practise art, work art, think art and dream art”. It touches every aspect of her life and sees her contributing to the artistic community, and sharing her passion with others. A recent highlight in her career was collaborating with artist Diane Parker on a joint exhibition. The experience, marked by their shared exploration of colour theory, resulted in a joyful body of work that is reflective of Santie’s dedication to both her craft and collaborative creative nature.
“Creativity is part practising my craft and part belonging to a creative community. Creativity is my life.”
With her varied roles, Santie still finds time to remain engaged in every aspect of gallery management from designing exhibitions to engaging with customers and managing social media. Her passion for art and community is evident in her commitment to finding and nurturing new talent, and her enthusiasm for creating inviting gallery and exhibition spaces.