Program Directors

ADRIAAN LOUW

Adriaan Louw obtained his Masters degree in Architecture Cum Laude from Tshwane University of Technology. After graduation he was employed by Government as a Young Professional Architect, he recently co-founded Aard Ateljee, a multi discipline design studio involving themselves in architecture, furniture and gourmet foods. Adriaan is the project coordinator of the "Open City" festival forming part of the Cool Capital Biennale. He is a keen photographer, avid traveler and proud Land Rover owner.

MAUNEEN VAN WYK

Mauneen is the executive officer of the Pretoria Institute for Architecture, a position she has held for the past 9 years. With a background in nursing, she later studied business through UNISA and became more involved in the creative side of life. Passionate about good buildings, art, music, photography, mosaic and all that embraces creativity.

PLUTO PANNOUSIS

During the course of his career, Pluto Panoussis has been a designer, an illustrator, a writer, an architect, and the director of a number of award-winning productions, which span a range of media, including film, television and the stage. He has co-written and directed two television series, exhibited as a fine artist with 5 solo exhibitions to his name, created the corporate identities of numerous companies and designed and headed the publicity campaigns of over a 100 local and international theatre productions. Currently he is head of the Film Arts Department at the Open Window School of Visual Communication. iMPAC (the Initiative for Motion Pictures within the African Continent), founded by him in 2009, is the latest initiative in his ongoing commitment towards fostering a culture of exploration in the visual arts.

JOACHIM LUBBE

Joachim Lubbe holds a Bachelors degree in accounting and Honours degree in Financial Management from the University of Pretoria. He recently passed his final CIMA board examination. Joachim has always had an interest in real estate, having packaged his first project at the age of 19. After a stint as a commodities trader he returned to his love for real estate. He is currently the founder of Black Swan Investments, which invests in and develops strategic real estate assets on the African continent. He is also the founder of the Business Club at Pretoria Boys High School and Business Mentor at the Innovation Hub where he shares his lessons from the business world. In his free time Joachim enjoys rock climbing and travelling.

MARELI WASSENAAR

Mareli Wassenaar is a Communications Specialist with a passion for South Africa and its capital, Pretoria. Her company Media Mosaics has provided corporate communication, PR, brand-and event management services for the last 16 years to clients such as the UNDP, Nepad, Sasol, Deloitte & Touche, MultiChoice and many others. Mareli previously lived and worked in France, worked in the diplomatic arena and was involved in the film and television industry, mostly, as production manager and director. Since 2009 Mareli’s name has become synonymous with Pretoria’s yearly Decadence Ball and the more recent Capital Arts Feast. Focusing on the city centre, these events aim to re-introduce people to beautiful (and often long-forgotten) buildings in Pretoria. She is passionate about the drive to establish a “cooler” brand for the capital by encouraging people to take initiative and create the city they want to live in – especially when it comes to the arts.

FRANCOIS VISSER

Born on 13 November 1979, Francois Visser grew up in Swaziland. He matriculated in 1997 at ‘Ermelo Hoërskool’ where after he moved to Pretoria. Francois entered for a Diploma in Visual Communication at The Open Window Art Academy in 1998 which was the start of his artistic career. Francois thereafter enrolled for a BA Fine Arts Degree (majoring in sculpture) at the University of Pretoria. During his four years at the University of Pretoria he took part in numerous group exhibitions. He ended his tertiary education on a high note when awarded the Eduardo Villa scholarship for the best fourth year sculpture student of 2002. Francois reached a further success when awarded the second prize for Technical Excellence at the annual PPC art competition in 2003. Francois joined Dionysus Sculpture Works under the artist Angus van Zyl Taylor in 2003 where he further explored his artistic talents. During this time he had the opportunity to work in mediums such as bronze, cement, and resin etc. He developed a keen interest in bronze and ceramic sculptures and now uses these mediums in his own work.

DEON ERASMUS

Born and raised in Pretoria, Deon had his eye set on an artistic career from a very young age. Graduating from Die Wilgers Hoërskool, Deon followed his dream and obtained his qualification in Graphic Design. Since his days at Pretoria News, Deon has grown from strength to strength and, after 20 years in the industry, has the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to his diverse range of clients in the form of professional service and innovative Web Design. When he is not hard at work, he spends time with his family, teaching his two sons the joys of Lego and computer gaming.