Regional art exhibition attracts huge turnout

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Monday April 26, 2010 00:00

About 80 artists had submitted their art and craft works for exhibition and adjudication as part of the programmes of the President's Day celebrations during the Heritage Month of July. The three-day exhibition is meant to showcase the best selection of art and craft works from the region that will be competing at the National Art and National Basket and Craft Exhibitions at the National Art Gallery in Gaborone in July.

The finalists from this region would slug it out with other finalists from 10 other regions across the country. The winners will get P10 000, P8 000 and P6 000 for the first, second and third positions.

The categories being competed for are: wood curving, photography, traditional pottery, drawings, basketry, leather works, textile works, sculpture works, print-making, paintings and beadworks.

Marking the official opening of the exhibition for the district commissioner, principal district officer (development), Gobe Macha said the department of arts and culture is part of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture and is responsible for the promotion of the visual arts in Botswana.

'It exists to preserve, promote and develop culture by empowering the creative arts and cultural industries. It also strives to be dynamic as a creative team that upholds the quest of excellence in the development of the arts and culture.

Above all, Macha said the department is also charged with the articulation of the policy of the government of Botswana on culture. He said government recognises the very important role that culture can play in the development of the country.

He said the practice of the visual arts must not be seen as an isolated activity by the society practised only for purposes of recreation. He noted that there are numerous opportunities that both the business community and the artist fraternity can exploit for mutual benefit.