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When COVID-19 disrupted the farming community in Eston in 2020, Wynne Smith and Robyn Armstrong began checking in on local farm schools to see what children needed.
What they found was a need that went beyond food and basic supplies: the children needed a creative outlet.
The two subsequently established Eston Outreach, a grassroots programme bringing arts education to children in the Mkhambathini district — proving that you don't need a fancy art studio to make something beautiful.
The project will take centre stage at this year's Eston Show, giving visitors a chance to see what the children have been creating and support the initiative.
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It started with two women and a problem
Eston Outreach was born in 2020, when Wynne and Robyn were the only two women on the Beaumont Eston Farmers Association's male-dominated executive committee.
When Covid disrupted the farming community's school feeding scheme, the pair began visiting local farm schools and quickly realised there was another need: connection.
“Wynne and I are both nursing sisters who married farmers, which might explain the need to heal and fix problems!” says Robyn. “We realised there was little creative outlet for the children and the need to tidy areas was huge, so we combined them!”
Out of recycling came art. And Eston Outreach was born.
Today, the initiative runs a project each term across six schools, with around 450 children taking part. A team of Eston volunteers helps at each school, with roughly 45 women now involved in the wider outreach effort.
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There are no rules in art – but there are rules for life
“The development of their art over five years has been incredible,” notes Robyn. “They have grown in confidence, to create patterns, mix colours, experiment and not just follow their friend.”
While the children might arrive to make something colourful from recycled materials, they're learning much more along the way.
“Art has no rules; you are free to create. The rules are in your behaviour while you create. The outreach is not only about art; it's about learning many social skills along the way.”
That means learning to say please and thank you, helping to carry materials, setting up, respecting other people's property, finishing a project, helping younger children and cleaning up afterwards.
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How Eston Outreach is bringing women and farmers together
“Women are nurturers and respond to social needs, so essential in agriculture,” says Robyn, who also credits the wider network of women involved in Eston Outreach for keeping the programme going and coming up with new ideas.
“We could not manage without all the women involved,” she explains. “A lot of work, prep and time is needed. It's a team effort.”
And the impact goes beyond the classroom. The programme has helped build relationships between local farmers and schools.
“We are also contacted by the headmistresses when a need arises, so we are shaping better relationships and assisting with other problems,” continues Robyn.
“We strive to show that a farmer can be your friend. We see this in the kids when they see us out and about in the community and a connection is made.”
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See the children's artwork at the Eston Show
Now, the children's creations are getting their own moment in the spotlight.
Eston Outreach's artwork will be displayed at the Eston Show on 29 and 30 August, giving visitors a chance to see the work produced through the programme and support the initiative.
If you're bringing the kids, there's an opportunity for them to get creative too. The Outreach Art Zone creative centre will run from 10am to 12pm, while you can purchase a ticket for the Open Easels experience.
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What you need to know
- Event: The Eston Show
- Dates: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026
- Venue: Beaumont Eston Farmers' Club Showgrounds
- Gates: From 9am
- Tickets: Adults R70 | teens aged 12–17 R50 |children U12 free, via Quicket
- Event: Eston Outreach Art Zone
- Open Easel Tickets: R150 per ticket, per entry with raffle at 3 pm
- Contact: Eston Outreach on Instagram
READ: You really need to escape to the countryside for the Eston Show this August
If you’re heading to the Eston Show this Women’s Month, make a beeline for the art zone. You might just leave with a new appreciation for what can happen when a community works to uplift its children and empower its women.
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