Thapong painting workshop targets rural dwellers

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 7, 2010 00:00

Speaking to Showbiz during an interview, Bakwena said that the people from outside the city, more especially those from the countryside, have been feeling left out.

'We have, therefore, decided to invite only artists from outside Gaborone because we want to monitor the level of growth among our members who are based outside the city,' he said adding that they invited participants from places such as Ramotswa, Molepolole, Thamaga and Francistown.

Lizar Senatle, a 43-year-old weaver from Supa Ngwao in Francistown, told Showbiz that she believed that the workshop would help improve her painting. She further said that in the past, she had mostly specialised in weaving, but after attending the painting workshop, she hopes to be able to produce more paintings.

'The workshop has just begun but I feel that I have already learnt much and I am motivated to produce a number of paintings after this,' said the full-time artist who mostly sells her artworks to tourists and government departments.

Thero Keikotlhae, 23, from Molepelole, who also happens to be a youth leader, said the workshop was good because it had motivated artists to explore their talents and share ideas.

Keikotlhae said the primary reason he had decided to attend the workshop was to transfer the skills that he would have learnt at the workshop to fellow artists in his home village.  'I am part of a group that intends to start an art club in Molepolole, so I am going to share what I am learning here with my mates,' said Keikotlhae who specialises in portraits.

For 19-year-old Motlotlegi Rantleru of Ramotswa, it is the first time he is attending a painting workshop. The artist, who mostly makes drawing on leather, hopes to emerge from the workshop better equipped to make more polished paintings. The workshop, which has attracted 20 participants, ends on Saturday and will be followed by a two-week exhibition.