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The National Gallery school of Visual Arts and design in Mbare hosted an Open Day for students on October 30 in a bid to portray the work students have been doing throughout the year. It was really a splendid day for all those who attended. The National Gallery School of Visual Art and Design was opened in 1981, with the support of the British American Tobacco. The vision of the school is to be the leading platform for professional development of artistic talent in the areas of practice, discourse, teaching and research.
The open day was a day for students who have accomplished their work and congratulations to them all. The students showcased their work for the benefit of insiders, parents and guardians. The first section of the program was entertainment by the students. They were involved in dances whereby they were playing the drums, singing and playing all sort of traditional dances. The most thrilling event was the imitation of news, putting in elements of art and how they relate to each other at the school in terms of learning.
Chaonwa one of the senior managers at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe acknowledged the presence of Hivos Coordinator Stephen Matinanga and thanked them for their continuous support. She was grateful that the National Gallery School of Visual Arts and design is a National institute and has really kept the fire burning. “It is of great significance to thank the four instructors of the school Dorris Kamupira, Admire Kamudzengerere, Julius Mushambadope and Blessed Simba not forgetting the education officer Nyakudya for their hard work of making the students to excel.”
The school has recorded a good pass rate for the past months and is continuing to do the good work. The school has been recently accredited for HEXCO National Diploma Level.
The school has come a long way as it has former students who are excelling, the likes of Wallen Mapondera who was in Madagascar recently, Virginia Chihota and Portia Zvavahera who have both showcased their work at the 2013 Venice Biennale, Chikonzero Chazunguza who currently lead the Dzimbanhete Artist Interactions and Simbabrashe Madungwe who is working as a designer at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Matinanga was very thankful saying that they have come a long way working together with the students. The students were doing a great job in presenting their work with expertise and excellence.
“Hivos is continuing with the support of projects to help individual students to raise the Zimbabwean flag high nationally and internationally, said Mr Matinanga.” This makes us proud and to give credit to institutions we work with.”
One of the artworks which was displayed from on the open day was that of Edwin Chinyama titled ‘Hodha Bhero’ which portrays how Zimbabweans have lived through ‘mabhero’ after the dollarisation in Zimbabwe. Chinyama used old Shoes covered by newspapers and Zimbabwean currency attached to some of the shoes. The newspapers represent the public and the shoes Zimbabwean experience after dollarisation. National Gallery School of Visual Arts and design students also work with the community, recently they were painting bins around town trying to put the message of keeping the city clean.
Online Reporter