31 Artists Exhibit at Francistown Arts Meet
Thirty one artists recently exhibited at the Francistown Arts Meet held under the theme “Art Beyond Studio”.
Coordinator of the Francistown Arts Meet event, Keoagile Bonang said the annual event held in Francistown and covers the Visual Arts and Contemporary Arts. He explained that the purpose of the exhibition is to scrutinise, sell, and create a platform of interaction for participating artists also mentoring them on the importance of treating their works with diligence in order to be recognis ed both locally and nationwide as not only artists but also entrepreneurs bringing vibrancy to the city. “The exhibition gives artists to showcase their very best of local, regional arts and culture in a comprehensive visual arts. This year which was the 2nd edition and was sponsored by Ministry of Youth Sports Culture (MYSC) and from the thirty one (31) artists who exhibited one hundred and thirty (130) artworks were recorded. Works that were displayed are paintings, drawings, photography, string art, sculpture and 2d animation,” he said.
Bonang noted that the week long exhibition, was an indoor exhibition was inspired by the lack of platforms that are designed for the visual artists for interaction and selling their works.
When officiating at the event, Francistown mayor, Godisang Radisigo noted that the arts are not merely a hobby that one utilizes to pass their spare time with, only to discard them for more serious things in life. “An artistic mind is the foundation of innovation and in turn problem solvin. The arts are the bed rock of civilization itself and nations that are considered great got their recognition because of the irresistible pulling power of the arts. It is on that vein that I beseech Francistown Arts Meeting to continue to grow and expand its mandate to help us achieve the glory and success that we know without a doubt belongs to us as the community of Francistown,” he said.
Radisigo urged the corporate sector to come on board and offer financial assistance to initiatives such as this one which will enable us to build a productive and resilient community.
Director at Botswana Investment & Trade Centre,Gaorekwe Mbuti Gaorekwe said the event enables an cultivate networks in the region to allow for in country exchanges as well as out of the country also it positions visual art as a viable contributor to employment creation within the cultural and creative industries sector. He also said that the event would assist in contribute to the revival of the city of Francistown, whose economy had been adversely affected by mine closures.
Prince Douglas and The Worshippers, have released a new album titled Nthome Morena. The album, which was released late last year, features ten tracks that include Hold on to the Cross, Tshepegile, Jerusalema and Tiyang le rapele, among others.
Prince Douglas told Vibe in an interview that the album was recorded separately, with some of the songs recorded in Tanzania and Durban, South Africa, and the rest recorded here in Gaborone.
Most of the songs have an uplifting praise tone, and the harmony of the voices of the lead singer and the band gives it a stirring unison and melody that prods one to hum along.
Douglas said that he wanted those who listen to the album to be touched spiritually, and be reminded that there is always a way out of any situation that one faces in life. “I want them to learn to surrender to God and seek salvation from Him, because he can offer us the love, peace and steadiness that we want in our lives,” he said.
Douglas explained that it is important to build a strong relationship with God because then, it becomes easier to talk to Him and build a covenant with Him. He pointed out that during these tough times that we are faced with as the world grapples with the Covid19 pandemic, some people are feeling defeated and dejected because they have lost family, friends and their jobs and source of livelihood, but instead of being down in the dumps, it is important to keep close to God and continue to praise and worship Him. “For example, in track number 10, I say, let us rejoice despite the challenges that we face. Track number 5 is a prayer to ask God to give us the strength to overcome the challenges that we face in life. Most of the songs are a reminder that we must be strong during tough times and seek intervention for God and ask Him to bring restoration in our lives. As challenging as things might be, we must remain hopeful and not be defeated because challenges come and go. We are never alone; God is always with us.”
I want them to learn to surrender to God and seek salvation from Him, because he can offer us the love, peace and steadiness that we want in our lives