Chapungu Sculpture Park Art Patron Roy Guthrie Passes on at 89

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: A Symbol of History and Identity

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…

Open Call for artists to exhibit at our Victoria Falls Gallery

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…

New products available at our Victoria Falls International Airport Outdoor Gallery

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…

Introducing Cynthia Joseph, a resident artist at the AVAC Arts Victoria Falls International Airport Art Gallery

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…

Arts council mourns Nama legend Susan Hains

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…

European Union supports Zimbabwe culture month as it launches Sculpture Competition

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…

The Many Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Children

‘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…

Bulawayo Arts Festival to promote township tourism

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…

EU celebrates Zim culture in Matobo

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…

Masendeke takes visual art to new heights

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…

In praise of African art: How Shona sculpting emerged

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…

AVAC Arts opens gallery at the Victoria Falls International Airport

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…

Transform Africa Summit 2023 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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…

Germany embassy unveils Buddy Bear

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…

Farewell Sekuru Shumba Nyamuzihwa Sylvester Mubayi

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…

Appeal for financial assistance towards the establishment of the Victoria Falls International Airport Sculpture Park

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND AVAC Arts is an arts sector focused community development initiative (social enterprise) that was founded by Terrence Tawanda Musiyiwa during the year 2002. The entity was eventually registered in 2003. AVAC Arts was a necessity created after realising the opportunities and challenges faced by Chitungwiza stone sculptors. Our operations are aligned to…

Edward Chiwawa passes away; Shona sculpture loses a sekuru

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that senior artist Edward Chiwawa passed away last night. There are only a handful of sculptors left in Zimbabwe who are part of that first group to achieve international recognition, the so-called ‘first generation’ of Shona sculptors. That select group has lost one of its…