Live sculpting by seasoned visual artists and a blooming botanical garden has seen the gallery being credited for adding lustre to the Victoria Falls Airport,making it one of the best places to be for both departures and arrivals in the town. THE recently established Avac Arts Gallery at Victoria Falls International Airport has been named…
Zimbabwe boasts a rich tapestry of artistic traditions, vibrant cultural heritage, and ancient historical sites. This potential goldmine, however, remains largely underexploited in the tourism sector. While wildlife safaris have long been the mainstay of Zimbabwean tourism, a burgeoning trend towards cultural tourism presents a unique opportunity for diversification and economic growth. Strengths: Challenges: Recommendations…
Afro fusion artist Evans Mapfumo will join other regional and international artist at FESTAC (festival of arts and culture) in May from 20-26 in Kenya. Festac also known as 2nd world black and african festival of arts and culture, will run and the theme, “sustainable growth trajectory for Africa through culture, trade, travel and tourism with…
Roy Guthrie, the visionary behind Chapungu Sculpture Park, passed away at 89. He leaves behind a profound generational impact on the Zimbabwean arts and culture sector. His legacy endures. Guthrie, a titan in the promotion of Zimbabwean Shona sculpture, left an indelible mark on the global art scene with his efforts to showcase African talent.…
The Zimbabwe Bird, also known as the Hungwe or Chapungu, is a national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the country’s flag, coat of arms, banknotes, and various institutions. Its history stretches back centuries, intricately woven with the rise and fall of ancient Zimbabwean civilizations and evolving interpretations of its meaning. Origins in Great Zimbabwe: The…
Today marks the last day of 2023. This was a special year for AVAC Arts. This year we were able to finally open our first outdoor gallery at the Victoria Falls International Airport. When we got the land there was nothing much to see. We saw it differently however. We begun the year by planting…
This is an invitation for artists to display their artworks at our Victoria Falls International Airport Outdoor Gallery. AVAC Arts was registered in 2003 as one of the first online art galleries in Zimbabwe. The gallery eventually opened in Victoria Falls on 1 January 2023. There is room for new artists and artworks to be…
From the time we opened the outdoor gallery at the airport, we have tried to increase our product range to accommodate the local Matebeleland North artistic community. Our mission is to make a positive impact in our local communkties through the arts and as an art in itself. During the process, we have diversified to…
Her name is Cynthia Joseph. At 23 years old she is one of the youngest stone sculptors in Zimbabwe. She says she was challenged by the fact that stone sculpting is a male dominated industry and she wants to change the status quo and become an inspiration to other female artists to try out stone…
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has described the late veteran creative and former chairperson of the National Theatre Organisation of Zimbabwe, Susan Hains as having been instrumental in the creation of legislation which saw the establishment of the arts mother body in 1985 from the ashes of the National Arts Foundation. NACZ director…
By Elvis Dumba The European Union continues to support the Zimbabwean arts and culture sector with the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst Von Kirchman launching a sculpturing competition as part of the ongoing Culture Month celebrations. The Competition is part of World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrated globally on May 21…
‘Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically…
By Sharon Sibindi This year’s edition of the Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF) will mainly focus on promoting township tourism, organisers have said. The event, which is aimed at promoting arts, culture and heritage by providing incubation, support and promotion of creative industries, will run from June 1 to 5 under the theme Our…
By Mpumelelo Moyo and Winstone Antonio THE European Union (EU) joined Zimbabwe in celebrating Culture Month at a culinary exchange event held at Amagugu International Cultural Centre at Nathisa in Matobo, Matabeleland South province, on Monday. The EU has donated US$63 000 to the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) for the commemorations running under…
ONCE upon a time, there was the usual prelude used by folk storytellers to gain maximum attention from their audience, mainly children. For Shona-speaking storytellers they would expect the attentive audience to immediately respond by saying: “Dzepfunde (we are listening)”, which would encourage the storyteller to proceed. Among the many old Shona tales that children…
By Percy Zvomuya Joseph Ndandarika, who was once described as one of the three greatest living stone sculptors. (Image courtesy of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe) In the act of remembering the Zimbabwean sculptor Lazarus Takawira, who died of Covid-related complications on 12 January, it is impossible not to talk about Frank McEwen, the founding director of…
By Kundai Marunya – Herald Arts Correspondent Renowned online gallery Avac Arts has moved to expand their operations, thus opening their first physical gallery space at Victoria Falls Airport. This is in line with the organisation’s 2023 vision to increase their visibility and foster development in the sector. The space, set up towards the end…
Had fun last week at the Transform Africa Summit 2023 held in VIctoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Congradulations to all the 7 Ms Geeks who got prices. Zimbawe surely was represented amongst the winners. Well done to all of the participants and to those who won. The future of African development in this technology era lies in…
THE Germany embassy in Harare in partnership with the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last week unveiled the German Buddy Bear to showcase the Ndebele culture globally. The Buddy Bear, also known as “Utshomi” (a Ndebele native name for “Buddy”) a project done by Portia Ndlovu, Khumbulani Ncube, Khathazile Mlala and Lackina Zulu…
One of Zimbabwe’s finest artists who belonged to the famous First Generation sculptors, Sylvester Mubayi died on the 13th of December 2022. Confirming the death, National Gallery of Zimbabwe Director Raphael Chikukwa, who also worked with the sculptor as Curator at the Venice Biennale in 2017, expressed shock at the death of the artist. “It…
