Too often talented people can’t pursue their dreams because they don’t have the resources to make the most of their gifts. This truism has prompted Brian Wells, along with a group of fellow enthusiasts in the arts, such as librarians, writers and performers, to set in motion a plan to help writers and performers get their work published and get the exposure needed for them to make it in these industries.
The main purpose of the foundation is to instil a love of writing in the youth of Ekurhuleni.What started as a writers’ club in Geluksdal, Ekurhuleni, in July 2008 grew first into a writers’ book club, which then went on to evolve into what is now known as the Brian Wells Arts Foundation. It has numerous branches in a number of cities, such as Tshwane and Tembisa, and it has managed to reach countless individuals who have a passion for the arts.
The main purpose of the foundation is to instil a love of writing in the youth of Ekurhuleni. It aims to inspire them to go after their dreams and not to be discouraged by their current circumstances. Local poets, performers and story tellers form the bulk of the Brian Wells’ Arts Foundation, where they are given the opportunity to interact with established authors and performers, such as Wells himself, and learn from them.
It has made a positive impact on the lives of many people on Gauteng’s East Rand through Wells’ public talks and initiatives, but it has taken him many steps to reach here and realise his dream. “After I lost both my parents within months of each other when I was 17 years old,” he recalls, “I lost my way and got caught up in a culture of drug use and alcoholism which I thought was nice at the time but it wasn’t getting me anywhere.
“Things continued this way until one random day I came across an old man who struck up a conversation and asked me ‘What is your purpose?'” It was a defining moment in Wells’ life, and the question has gone on to feature in a lot of the work he has done between then and now.
He says that at first he laughed at the old man, thinking that it was a “weird question”, but after a few days of mulling it over he realised just how meaningful it was for a person to know their purpose – and thus began Wells’ journey of self-discovery. He was driven to write his first book, Just Set Your Mind to It.
Brian Wells, now a celebrated author, librarian consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker, is using his experience to help other lovers of the arts do the same and achieve their dreams.In 2008, shortly after receiving a Mayoral Achievers Award from the Ekurhuleni mayoral committee for his book, Wells met Robin Wheeler, an entrepreneur, writer, author and motivational speaker, who planted the thought of a writers’ club in his mind during a conversation. Inspired by the thought, Wells went about creating his book club with the help of a few people who saw the promise of such a venture.
In his time running the foundation, Wells has helped to publish four books for foundation members and has upped the ante by setting the goal of publishing 100 books in 2014. The foundation has struggled to find publishers and printers for the books it wishes to publish, as well as in acquiring the resources it needs to keep running.
But having come this far, facilitators at the Brian Wells’ Arts Foundation know that there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to realise and achieve their goals. And with help from anybody who is willing to lend a hand, they hope to help even more people pursue their dreams.
To play your part in helping the foundation reach its goals, or simply to find out more about what it does, visit Brian Wells’ Art Foundation, Just Set Your Mind to It, Wells’ Writers Club, Elements of Writing, or contact Brian Wells on 078 959 3521 / 011 999 4411 or brianw2@ekurhuleni.gov.za / 1wellsfoundation@gmial.com, or Dondo Dithebe on 082 977 9403.
