Artist grooms young talent
Dumisani Ncube | Friday June 5, 2015 14:47
The artist who holds a degree in Marketing is heading Attractive Mirage Arts Center for Artists (AMACA), which mainly focuses on young artists ranging from five to 20 years of age.
“Normally art is introduced to people when they are a bit older. Therefore I decided to come up with something that will help young people grow up with the skill,” said the 27 year old. AMACA has attracted over 100 students that have already enrolled for different art classes such as painting, drawing and photography. Enrolment at the arts centre is free of charge.
Nkawana who says he has a soft spot for children revealed that he is currently teaching his students the first stages of the different forms of art.
“We are still working on the early basic skills that one should acquire when they are starting in the industry,” said Nkawana.
He said during the course of the year he wants to host an exhibition for the students’s artwork. He is also planning on taking some to different art competitions. The art teacher decried the fact that art is not properly recognised in the country.
His observation is that because children are not introduced to art at an early age, it becomes difficult for most to appreciate it at such a late stage.
“One of my objectives is to correct that mistake,” he says.Two of Nkawana’s students, brothers Kgosi and Lefika Ketlogetswe aged 11 and 8 respectively tell Arts&Culture that since enrolling with the experienced artist’s centre, their artistic skills were developing tremendously.
However the brothers have developed different art interests, Kgosi is interested in landscape drawing because he is fascinated by the scenery while his younger brother is more interested in capturing life moments as a painter. Nkawana mentioned that due to the large number of students he has, he is running out of teaching material.
“I am currently looking for sponsors that can help me with funds,” he says.