By Tawanda Marwizi
Gallery Delta is facing serious financial problems that may lead to its closure if the administration fails to secure funds to sustain its operations. Speaking on the sidelines of an exhibition running under the theme The Contenders last week, the gallery assistant, Gina Maxim said they were facing serious financial woes which could force the closure of the gallery. “We are financially crippled and if it goes on like this, then in the next couple of months we are going to close,” said Maxim. “We are trying to get assistance from different organisations but it has been difficult because in some instances they too are in tough situations.” Maxim said the financial crisis was adversely affecting artists and had compromised the quality of their work. Different artists who had their paintings exhibited at the gallery said they were worried about the situation. Kufa Makwavarara, a three-time award winner said it would be a blow to artists if the gallery was shut down. “A lot of galleries have closed and we were relying on this gallery. Its closure will mean more constraints in exhibition places,” said Makwavarara. Another artist, Munyaradzi Mugorosa, said the gallery had been promoting them, and without it, their future as artists would be bleak. “I started exhibiting my works here and closure means disaster for people like me,” said Mugorosa. Gallery Delta was initially closed early last year due to financial woes but eventually opened after securing funds, but it appears the joy was short-lived.
