For Raphael Jamu, art has always been a passion and seeing a young artist prospering in it is just a welcome bonus.
Jamu, a Chinhoyi-based artist is director of Hillock Arts Foundation, an arts mentoring concern that facilitates various projects.
He coaches artists from various backgrounds in different forms of art, from visual arts, stone sculpture, wood carving, carpentry, dance, music, theatre, to other craft projects like sewing.
“Hillock Arts Foundation currently has 10 artists while its membership spreads to ordinary citizens, especially students, whom we assist with securing scholarships,” Jamu said.
“My major thrust is to help young people with various talents get training or help their families with their day-to-day lives.
“Today there are orphans from among the 10 who are paying school fees for their siblings and have become progressive in life.”
Jamu, who is also the provincial chairperson for the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism in Mashonaland West, said he had made inroads in securing foreign contacts through engaging embassies.
“One of the artists Lucky Nyamujiwa has drawn portraits of various ministers and recently we presented one drawing of the Malawian President Joyce Banda,” he said.
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“After the presentation at the embassy we were then invited to Malawi.
“We have a similar arrangement with the embassy of Iran, where we presented a portrait of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and we have secured scholarships for 40 students.”
Nyamujiwa (22) has drawn portraits of various prominent people in Zimbabwe and makes the frames to present a complete package.
He will be in the United Kingdom for an arts exhibition in August. The show is being organised and sponsored by his international manager based in that country.
“For the UK trip I am going to be travelling with six artists who are going to exhibit various artefacts,” he said.
“Preparations for the tour are underway for the two-week exhibition and the artists are happy to have been granted such an opportunity.”
