MORE than 10 exhibitors showcased their exquisite pieces of art at Highfield Mushamukuru Arts Festival and Business Expo (HMAFBE) which was recently held at the Zimbabwe Grounds hall.
VIMBAI MARUFU Own Correspondent
The event was organised by Daily Bread Media in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment and Machipisa Business Community.
HMAFBE chairperson Washington Masenda, who was instrumental in organising the Expo, said it sought to safeguard the creative works of local artists and provide opportunities for them to interact with the corporate world.
“We have got a lot of talent here in Highfield, but most of the artists lack working and exhibiting platforms so they resort to working in their backyards which hinders their success. We need to support and appreciate them for their initiatives,” he said.
Works by some established names – GreenAge artistes – were also exhibited alongside some promising young artists from Masimba Group of Children with Disabilities.
The exhibition also accommodated pieces of paintings, drawings, graphics, pieces from recycled cans, wrestling from Black Rhinos, Zororo and Zengeza wrestling Clubs and live performances from various groups.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for artists, craftsmen, and business community to interact with their consumers as regards their products and services,” Masenda said.
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He added that he was working towards securing a strategic gallery space that represented the Highfield arts scene and also planned to host a more colourful one week event.
Other stakeholders present at the event included those from Telecel, Red Cross, Doves Funeral Assurance and Population Services International amongst others. Zhiradzago Rutsoka from GreenAge (Dzimbahwe Arts Community) said local communities also needed to enjoy the artistic heritage as most of their works always ended up in foreign galleries.
“I feel that I have got quite a lot in store for this nation, but we are facing a lot of challenges as artists, we need partners and support to be able to sail through,” he said.
Rutsoka added that a lot a lot of artists had penetrated the international market yet there was nothing to show back home.
He said it was their duty as artists to teach arts and culture in schools and communities so that local people could appreciate their artistic heritage.
