Art on the Edge
Lakritz Forum 2027
- Dates9–11 April 2027
- LocationLakritz, Chintsa East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Where art, nature and human understanding meet
What can art teach us about nature? And what can the natural world reveal about the way we live, think and relate to one another?
From 9–11 April 2027, Lakritz invites curious minds to Art on the Edge, an intimate three-day forum on South Africa's Wild Coast, in Chintsa East, Eastern Cape.
Bringing together contemporary culture, ecological thinking and direct encounters with the landscape, the Forum creates space to step away from everyday routines and engage with questions that deserve more than a quick answer.
Through conversations, encounters with nature, shared experiences and time spent observing the landscape, we will explore the connections between creative expression, ecological interdependence and our place in a changing world.
This is not a conventional art event. It is an invitation to look more closely, think more deeply and discover connections between disciplines, people and the living world around us.
Art on the Edge welcomes people who are curious about the world and willing to approach familiar questions from unfamiliar perspectives.
Step outside the familiar. See differently.
We live in a time of accelerated change, ecological uncertainty and increasing disconnection. Information is everywhere, yet opportunities to pause, observe and think together can be surprisingly rare.
Art on the Edge offers a different kind of gathering.
You do not need to be an artist, an ecologist or an academic. What matters is curiosity, openness and a willingness to engage.
Over three days, participants are invited to encounter the landscape, exchange ideas and explore the relationship between artistic thinking and the natural world. The Forum combines observation, conversation and experience rather than relying on presentations alone.
There is room to question assumptions, listen to other perspectives and consider how our relationship with nature shapes the way we understand ourselves and one another.
Come to explore ideas, experience the Wild Coast and take part in conversations that continue beyond the event itself.
Three days at the edge of art and nature
The Forum brings together creative reflection, ecological perspectives, time outdoors and shared conversation. Each day connects ideas with direct experience of the landscape and the people who inhabit it.
Friday, 9 April: Arrival and encounter
The opening day introduces the Forum and its central questions, creating space for participants to meet and begin exchanging perspectives.
- From 12:00
Arrival and welcome
Informal arrival. Accommodation check-in from 14:00.
- From 15:30
Talk: The Art on the Edge
Claudine HaukeCreative expression in extreme geographic solitude.
At Lakritz, the Gallery - ± 30 min
"An agent in something holy"
Presented by Silke HeissThe unexpected companions of solitude. A look at a few poems by Norman Morrissey.
A conversation about making art at the edges
Physically, psychologically and creatively. Including a wine tasting, light dinner and gallery discussion, with an open end.
Saturday, 10 April: Art, nature and connection
The day explores the relationship between the living landscape and our experience of connection, isolation and belonging.
- 07:30–09:00
Beach walk: Mini Hiku Hike
With Silke HeissA peripatetic writing workshop. A gentle, guided, silent walk while making jottings in pen on paper. Attunement to self and environment, communal silence and communal creativity. It brings joy, renews energy and restores inner balance.
No previous writing experience required. Equally suited to locals and visitors.
What to bring
- Pen and paper
- Sunhat, and warm gear if there is a breeze
- Water bottle
- Scarf to sit on
- Comfortable walking shoes for the dune forest path and beach
Breakfast at Chintsa Dunes and Conversation Table
An open conversation connecting the experiences of the morning with questions of human connection, isolation and belonging.
- 14:00
Walk at Emerald Vale
Emerald Vale Talk: What mycorrhizal fungi teach us about human loneliness
Professor Susi Vetter, Rhodes UniversityA conversation inspired by the hidden networks that connect life beneath the soil, and what they might teach us about our own need for connection.
Early dinner
Early dinner and informal evening conversation.
Sunday, 11 April: From awareness to action
The final day turns towards ecological responsibility and the practical relationship between reflection and action. Forest of Return at Yekelela.
- 07:30–07:50
Start the day
With Cher GoslettEmbodiment practice and breathing exercise.
- 08:00
Breakfast
Yekelela - 09:30
Botanical resilience in a changing climate
Talk by Martin KunhardtA visit to the reforestation project and an introduction to the work of restoring indigenous forest. Martin leads you through the field, exploring resilience, adaptation and what plants can teach us about surviving and responding to environmental change. Ending in tree planting.
Forest of Return, Yekelela · In collaboration with NurtureNature - 10:00
Pause
On show: "The Change Manifesto", a video by Deon Robbertze.
- 11:00
Land of the Living: Environmental pollution and recycling
Talk by Dr. Scott Worley Farewell braai and open discussion
A final gathering around the fire, food and conversation.
Please note: the daily schedule and any activities still awaiting confirmation will be updated before registration closes.
Lakritz, Chintsa East: South Africa's Wild Coast
Set in Chintsa East on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, Lakritz is an independent cultural space where art, nature and conversation come together.
The landscape is not simply a backdrop to the Forum. It is an integral part of the experience: a place to observe, listen, walk and reconsider our relationship with the living world.
Lakritz brings together several interconnected initiatives, including a contemporary art gallery, an indigenous Art Garden, the Forest of Return and the Lakritz Magazine. Together, they explore how creative practice, ecological awareness and community engagement can inform one another.
The Forum is intentionally intimate. It creates room for encounters and conversations that can be difficult to sustain in larger, more conventional events.
Take part in Art on the Edge
Forum participation
R3,800
Per person for three daysThe ticket covers participation in the three-day Forum, from 9–11 April 2027. Accommodation is not included in the ticket price and must be arranged separately.
Book your accommodation
Chintsa East and the surrounding Eastern Cape offer accommodation options for visitors wishing to stay in the area. We encourage participants travelling from elsewhere in South Africa or internationally to arrange their accommodation and transport in advance.
- Chintsa Dunes ResortBook on Booking.com
- Crawfords Beach LodgeBook on Booking.com
- Schafli ManorBook on Booking.com
- The Gables Boutique HotelBook on Booking.com
If you need assistance identifying suitable accommodation, please contact Lakritz before making your travel arrangements: info@lakritz.co.za or +27 83 600 1596.
Planning your visit to Chintsa East
Dates, location and fee
- Dates
- 9–11 April 2027
- Location
- Lakritz, 432 Penguin Place, Chintsa East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Fee
- R3,800 per person, excluding accommodation
Getting here
Chintsa East is situated on South Africa's Eastern Cape coast, within reach of East London.
Visitors travelling from other parts of South Africa or from abroad should plan their journey to the Eastern Cape in advance. Please contact Lakritz if you need guidance on reaching Chintsa East or coordinating your arrival.
Get directions on Google MapsAccommodation
Accommodation is separate from the Forum ticket. Please contact Lakritz for information about nearby options and availability.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection and a reusable water bottle are recommended for activities outdoors. Further guidance will be provided with the final programme.
Accessibility and dietary requirements
Please contact Lakritz before registering if you have mobility requirements, dietary needs or other practical considerations that may affect your participation. We will clarify what arrangements can be accommodated.
Contact
- info@lakritz.co.za
- Telephone
- +27 83 600 1596
- Website
- lakritz.co.za
Join us at the edge of art and nature
Three days. A remarkable landscape. New perspectives on art, nature and our place in the world.
Art on the Edge is an invitation to slow down, look more closely and take part in a shared exploration of the connections between creative thinking and the living environment.
Whether you are travelling from elsewhere in South Africa or coming from abroad, we welcome your interest in the Lakritz Forum 2027.
We look forward to welcoming you to Chintsa East.