The 2025 ARTopia School Arts Project at Liberty Midlands Mall has reached its final stage, with the announcement of the winning learners whose artworks captured the public’s attention and brought important environmental themes to life. After weeks of creativity, community participation and strong youth-led messaging around sustainability, the campaign now culminates in a shopper reward initiative that brings these artworks into everyday use.
The winners are:
1st Winning School: Deccan Road Primary School
Winning Learner: Anamika Maikoo – Grade 1
2nd Winning School: Toybox School
Winning Learner: Anesu Ngcobo – Grade 3
3rd Winning School: Athlone Primary School
Winning Learner: Natara Govender – Grade 7
Each of these learners presented a distinct and imaginative perspective on sustainability. Their art pieces will now be printed onto a collection of limited-edition eco- friendly tote bags, giving shoppers a tangible way to enjoy the project’s environmental vision. Their schools have each won R 10 000, based on the number of votes their learners’ artworks received.
The top 3 category winners each received a R1 000 Midlands Mall shopping voucher, a large hamper from Yokico as well as hampers and gift cards from Bargain Books, CUM Books, Exclusive books, McDonalds and Standard Bank. The runners up in each category received Midlands Mall shopping vouchers and gift hampers from Bargain Books, CUM Books, Exclusive Books and Standard Bank.
A platform for young voices
Earlier phases of the project saw more than 300 learners from Grade 1 to 7 across Pietermaritzburg submit original artworks highlighting themes such as recycling, green spaces and clean energy. During July, Liberty Midlands Mall hosted a public exhibition in the centre court, offering visitors a chance to view the artworks and vote for their favourites.
The exhibition drew wide participation from schools, families and shoppers, and served as a platform not only for artistic expression but also for meaningful community dialogue around sustainability. The voting process ensured that the public played an active role in selecting the final winners.
Collect a limited-edition tote bag
From 16 to 31 August, shoppers who spend R350 or more anywhere in the mall will be eligible to collect one of the three specially designed tote bags featuring the winning artworks. Shoppers can visit the activation station with their till slips and collect their personalised bags from our young artists, while stocks last.
These reusable bags are a creative extension of the campaign’s environmental message and a celebration of the young artists’ efforts to influence change through visual storytelling.
“ARTopia has been an inspiring project that brought the community together in support of both the arts and the environment,” said Lawrence Joubert, General Manager at Liberty Midlands Mall. “We are proud to recognise the talent and vision of these young learners and to give their work a platform that lives beyond the exhibition.”
With the final phase now in motion, Liberty Midlands Mall closes this year’s ARTopia campaign by placing meaningful art into the hands of the community, encouraging more conscious choices and celebrating the voices of tomorrow.
For more information on how to participate, please contact Ronael Seyambu at Ronael.Seyambu@epsgroup.co.za.
For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its projects, go to https://www.midlandsmall.co.za/ or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.
