Paint Up with Kamamma

Paint Up Kamamma is an innovative project, developed by Dreamcatcher in collaboration with the community of Melkhoutfontein to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the area. A series of murals beautify houses to tell stories, depict social history, and reawaken the cultural significance of the area.

Launched in 2016 by the then Dutch Ambassador to South Africa Marisa Gerards and then Dreamcatcher Ambassador Dutch celebrity Karin Bloemen, over 30 houses have been designed and painted by artists collaborating with the community. Themes vary from the nearby Blombos cave (home to the earliest evidence of humankind as artists), the world famous fish traps, local fauna and flora, and social history. You can find out more information on each design from the links below. You can also attend walkabout community tours where community guides tell the stories behind the designs. In addition many other houses have now been painted with paint donated through the project.

Due to Covid the project was suspended as we focused on allocating resources to support communities throughout the pandemic, but in 2023 we will be collaborating with the community and artists to develop new murals.

The inspirational Bruce Rimell, the creative mind behind many of the murals

We acknowledge the wonderful support of all collaborators in particular the numerous community members and volunteers who have contributed to the project so far. In particular we are truly grateful to the inspiring artist Bruce Rimell whose work is based on ethnographic and archaeological themes. Bruce has been a true inspiration and has led the design and painting of many of the murals. Bruce and Chris have become dear friends of Dreamcatcher and the community. We also acknowledge the ongoing support of the Utopia Foundation.

For more information on how you could get involved please contact us: help@dreamcatchersouthafrica.com