adminArts Correspondent
CHITUNGWIZA Arts Centre will on Saturday hold an exhibition of works made at the centre over the past 15 years. The exhibition, running under the theme “Celebrating 15 years of existence through arts as a livelihood”, will see more than 120 artistes exhibiting their work.
Chairman of the arts centre Clive Gono said the exhibition will also help sculptors to market their work.
“There is a lot of talent but lack of resources is hampering our work. We no longer have direct buyers from the traditional markets such as Asia, Europe and USA. People who act as middlemen are ripping us off,” he said.
The Chitungwiza Arts Centre was established in 1997 out of a poverty alleviation programme between the United Nations Development Programme, the then Ministry of Education and Culture and the National Arts Council.
Its aim was to provide a stable place where young budding artistes could be mentored.
The organisations provided the land and the initial raw materials, but the member artists now control policy and finances. It is a great example of African artists working together and achieving so much more than they could as individuals.
It is a successful community project which provides a stable work place where artists can develop skills and source markets for their art products.
The centre also provides a platform for women and youths to get training from experienced artists and thereby create self-employment.
It also gives visitors the opportunity to buy unique and innovative pieces of modern art directly from the artistes.
This year’s Chitungwiza Arts Centre will market and promote artists’ works through expos and workshops.
Since 2009, the association has held arts and crafts exhibitions with the assistance of the Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter