Something for everyone at Wild Geese Fest

Andrew Moyo
LAST year, about 140 visual artistes converged at Wild Geese Lodge in Harare to exhibit and sell their work, creating an amazing atmosphere that left many visitors with lifetime
memories.

Today, the fifth edition of the Wild Geese Arts Festival takes centre stage with close to 200 visual artistes set to exhibit their work at the scenic Wild Geese Lodge in Pomona.
This annual event is arguably the biggest visual art platform of its kind in Zimbabwe, presenting the perfect setting for art lovers to enjoy, appreciate and purchase local artwork.
Running throughout the day, the event will be characterised by mouth-watering artworks, a mesmeric atmosphere, live music and great food among other highlights.
Participating artistes include painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and ceramic artistes. Artistes will not only get to interact with the public but use the opportunity to exchange notes with their counterparts from across Zimbabwe.
The artistes are exhibiting their work free of charge and 10 percent of sales go to Wild Geese, who in turn will donate a portion to charity and the bands performing at the fest.
Besides the art on display, those who are sticking around until dusk are in for a treat as the venue offers the perfect view of the African sunset.
Being a family event there is a little bit of everything for everyone with renowned sculptor Goodson Mlera welcoming children of all ages to join him for a short stone carving class. Art lovers will get first-hand experience of how artworks come to life via demonstration sessions.
Gates open at 10am and entrance into the venue is by donation, with the proceeds going to charity.
One of the organisers said, “So far over 170 artistes have registered to participate at this year’s festival so I just want people to come in their numbers in support of local art. Besides the art, there will be a live band, Evicted, that will be entertaining people and those who love their food should come prepared for great bites.”
With thousands of people expected to attend the festival, provisions have been made for secure parking.
“People who are coming should not have to worry about the safety of their vehicles because we have arranged plenty of safe and secure parking space.”
Some of the artistes to look out for at the festival include Victor Nyakauru, Lister Masterson, Karen Seagar, Webster Mubayirenyi, Valentine Magutsa, Pearl Thompson, Vanessa Hounsell and the founder of the festival herself Leslie Johnson, to name just a few.
Last year, the prize for Best New Artiste went to Franklin Dzingai, Best on Show was taken by Lister Masterson, Best Sculptor went to Manual Mutizwa and Most Unusual Work was won by Tafadzwa Marekera, with Bording Dzinotizei scooping Best Painting on the Theme.