adminThe association makes use of scrap material like wire and empty water bottles to make small and human-sized figures.
The association was established last year with the intention of helping people of the community of Ngozi Mine, most of whom live in squalid shelters without basic amenities, how to use their hands to make various artistic objects.
Speaking in an interview recently, spokesperson for the association, Leonard Dube, said the purpose of teaching the primary schoolchildren recycle art was to make sure that artistry does not end with the old, but was passed down to future generations as well.
“We will be teaching the children how to make art using those objects which have been discarded by people. We are doing so as to give young people skills to pursue careers in the arts in future and make sure that the knowledge we have acquired does not end with us,” said Dube.
He said that they were doing the training programme within rural areas, because there was a lack of art education in remote areas, while they would also like to include secondary schools in the future.
“In the country we generally lack education in the arts especially in the remote areas. We are also going to be looking at doing the same with secondary schoolchildren in the area,” he said.
He said the arts association had been formed with the intention of combating the negative perception people held about Ngozi Mine and its residents.
“We are aware that people have a negative view of the people of Ngozi Mine. This association was formed with the intention of reversing that negative stereotype and showing people that residents from the area can do things on their own,” he said.
He appealed to the city council to fast-track their request for a piece of land from where they could do their art and craft projects, as it would be to the benefit of their community. He also encouraged other artistes to come on board and help children realise their artistic ambition.
Online Reporter