Essentials for Art Practice and Management comes to Gweru
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Artists were urged to value proper arts management, best practice and the free exchange of ideas, this was said by Centre for Contemporary Art Bulawayo (CCAB), founder Clifford Zulu at a Gweru workshop.
The successful workshop saw 12 local artists from diverse arts genres trained in modern art practices, design, photography, film, and video, performance art and installations art.
Various artists who spoke on the sidelines of the training workshop showered the program with praises for making them wary of modern arts market trends.
Veteran Internationally acclaimed Author, Ignatious Musonza, who was part of the trainees expressed joy and satisfaction over the quality of the training.
“Thank you, guys, for getting the ball rolling. Mr Zulu and Mr Nkomo thank you for a very interactive and informative workshop. We are eager to see the urgent birth of Centre for Contemporary Art Gweru chapter. We are ready to get into business now like what Salese and Ano indicated, “he said.
Wardrob Magazine publisher, Emily Ncube echoed similar sentiments.
“I would like to thank the Bulawayo guys, their training means a lot to us, it was an eye opener. I believe if they continue with such programs, Gweru will be an oasis of arts. to greater heights. I too, am 100 percent in support of the establishment of the Centre’s Midlands Chapter,” she said.
The Essentials for Art Practice and Management project was established in Bulawayo where it still has a fair share of influence.
In their rich presentations the Bulawayo independent curators, Cliford Zulu and Fisani Nkomo emphasised that arts should not be restricted to building walls and galleries, but rather respond to the changing times, preferences and desires of our generation by following current market trends.
“In respect of the workshop, everything was well said and done. The ball is now in our hands. Starting Gweru Chapter is the best way forward, nothing should stop us from making it. We will fight tooth and nail to see the chapter concept materialise, “said another artist who preferred anonymity.
Zulu’s core-workshop facilitator, Nkomo emphasized the importance of professionalizing the art through digitalizing contents in line with current trends.
Trading under the moniker -Bulawayo Art Fair, the facilitators gave Culture Fund of Zimbabwe, which they said was supported by the European Union Delegation in Zimbabwe an affectionate pat on the back for funding Essentials for Art Practice and Management project.
“We thank Culture Fund of Zimbabwe and the European Union Delegation in Zimbabwe for supporting the organisation to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences among practicing artists nationwide. The workshop which was designed in participatory methodology, focusing on collective engagement rather than a traditional instructional approach was highly admired by beneficiaries.
