Bulawayo Art and Craft Fair preps underway

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Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
THE NATIONAL Art Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo is preparing to host the annual Bulawayo Art and Craft Fair that will run concurrently with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

The fair which kicks off on April 26 will end on April 28 with exhibitions, workshops, music competitions and discussions being the order of the day.

One of the organisers, Clifford Zulu said they were inviting artists who wish to participate to book space at the National Gallery where they will showcase their works and sell their wares.

“We’ve identified a partner who’s covering most of our costs related to organising the fair. As such, we’re offering the space for free. It’s a limited space of 30 trestle tables and 20 booths so those interested must hurry.

“But, as we’re fundraising for the painting of the gallery, we’ll be asking artists to contribute by donating 15% of their daily sales during the duration of the fair,” Zulu said.

He said this year’s exhibition would be different from previous editions which have been wholly centred on craft.

“This year, we decided to include art as we’re transforming the traditional model of the ‘Craft Fair’.

“We want the exhibition to be a curated event presenting emerging artists, craft makers and designers an opportunity to benefit from this prestigious creative space at a professional level,” Zulu said.

Those with outstanding works, precisely, the most outstanding display stand, are set to be honoured at the end of the exhibition in order to encourage them.

The curator revealed plans to make the exhibition an international event which will attract sculptors, photographers and performing artists from other countries.

“We’ve realised that countries such as South Africa have the Cape Town and Johannesburg Craft and Art Fairs which they hold annually.

These fairs attract international exhibitors and it’s our hope that we do the same starting next year when we want to go regional.”

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