Mart Leeuwner studied Fine Arts at the Potchefstroom University for Higher Education from 1977 to 1980 and later completed a National Diploma in Architecture at Technikon Pretoria. Her career began in the Department of Environmental Affairs and later the Department of Local Government and Works, where she worked as a graphic artist.

Although she pursued other professional paths over the years, Mart continued to exhibit regularly and participated in group exhibitions with CANSA, showing her work at the Pretoria Art Museum, UNISA, and other galleries alongside renowned South African artists such as Judith Mason, Gordon Froud, Diane Victor, and Zuanda Badenhorst. Her work has been well received, with many pieces sold and several private commissions completed.

She also developed a passion for pottery under the guidance of Rhoda Henning, creating unique hand-painted pieces inspired by her grandchildren’s creativity works that became favourites at her private exhibitions.

Mart’s art is organic, colourful, and expressive, and she has a particular love for printmaking and etching for their element of surprise. Since relocating to Jeffreys Bay in 2018, she has shared her passion through art classes for both adults and children. Now retired, she continues to teach, take commissions, and exhibit her work whenever possible.

Her philosophy remains simple and inspiring:

e all have a creative side the mind’s eye is the window to imagination, and the sky is the limit.