Chitungwiza Arts Centre’s forthcoming exhibition at the Alliance Francaise will boost the centre’s quest of becoming one of the country’s paragons of community tourism.
By Our Staff
The centre, which was established in 1997 has carved a niche for itself both on the domestic and international scene and over the years it has proved to be one of the most successful community tourism destinations in the country.
Apart from community tourism the centre of 200 visual artists is playing a fundamental role in reviving the fortunes and boosting the prospects of the poor and disadvantaged in the dormitory town, 26km outside Harare.
About 25 sculptors from the arts centre will for the first time showcase their work at the month-long expo at Alliance Francaise.
“It will be a great opportunity for the artists that are coming from Chitungwiza Arts Centre to exhibit at Alliance Francaise,” said Vivienne Croisette, who will be the curator for the exhibition.
“The exhibition will be eventful and for many artists from Chitungwiza Arts Centre it will be a platform to market their works. Local and foreign buyers will also have a rare opportunity to look at some of these extra-ordinary and breath-taking artefacts.”
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Croisette, who has promoted and marketed local sculptor for 16 years, said Zimbabwean sculptors were regarded as the best in the world.
French Ambassador to Zimbabwe Laurent Delahousse will be the guest of honour at the exhibition which runs from April 7 to May 1.
Chitungwiza mayor Phillip Mutoti, a former sculptor at the arts centre, said Chitungwiza Arts Centre had contributed immensely to the development of the town.
“Arts is one area that has played an important role in the development of the town. We have people coming from different parts of the world who are coming to Chitungwiza because of the arts centre,” Mutoti said.
He believes that the exhibition will boost community tourism since most foreigners would want to visit Chitungwiza. In its 19-year existence, Chitungwiza Arts Centre has produced some of the finest sculptors in the country, scooping four National Arts Merits Awards. Every year, at least five artists from the centre conduct art training workshops in Europe.
Its chairman Taurai Tigere said the centre had grown in leaps and bounds.
“It’s something that we are happy with. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, including Vievinne and her husband Joseph, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, National Arts Gallery, the French Embassy and other embassies and Chitungwiza Municipality,” Tigere said.
