The Collective Visual

Plett Art Collective - Sarah Waite, Hilary Appelgryn and Val Thompson - three established Plettenberg Bay artists united by a shared love of art and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the extraordinary beauty of Plett and the places they explore, their work celebrates landscapes, wildlife and still-life through their own distinctive perspectives. Working across a variety of mediums and techniques, each artist brings a unique creative voice to the Collective - together creating an evolving body of original and expressive art.

SARAH WAITE: A 2026 Wildlife Artist of the Year finalist for her pastel portrait of a Cape fox, Sarah is best known for her beautifully observed wildlife and animal portraits, alongside landscapes and seascapes in pastels, acrylics and oils. The natural beauty and abundant wildlife of Plett provide an endless source of inspiration, while commissioned pet and wildlife portraits remain an important and rewarding part of Sarah's work. Sarah's artistic roots lie in drafting and rendering for interior design, later expanding into decorative painting, murals and mosaics. This foundation influences the detail, composition and sensitivity evident in her work. HILARY APPELGRYN: Hilary's work is characterised by a joyful exploration of colour, texture and mixed media, inspired by both the natural world and a life lived across some of Southern Africa's most vibrant landscapes. Born in Zambia and later growing up in Cape Town, the rich colours and culture of Zambia, in contrast to the distinctive moody light, ocean and landscapes of the Cape and Garden Route, continue to influence the energy and optimism in her work. Largely self-taught, Hilary began her artistic journey in watercolour, but today explores oils, acrylics and mixed media, continually experimenting with new techniques and subjects. VAL THOMPSON: Val's work is an expressive interpretation of landscape, atmosphere and place, inspired by the environments she has lived in, travelled through and still dreams of exploring. Working across oils, charcoal and acrylics, she is drawn to the changing moods of the natural world - from dramatic skies and stormy landscapes to the fleeting light captured while painting en plein air. Val came to art later in life, bringing with her a wealth of experiences and memories that now find expression in her work. Her paintings often move beyond literal representation, using colour, texture and abstraction to capture not simply how a landscape looks, but how it feels.