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Arts Correspondent
Chitungwiza Arts Centre continues to shine as it has produced two nominees for the National Arts Merit Awards’ Visual Arts category. The nominees were announced on Monday and two sculptors Farai T Tandi and Rufaro Murenza made it to the list. Tandi and Murenza will be battling it out on with another artist Israel Israel. Murenza said he was happy about the nomination as it gives him room to do the best.

“I am happy that I have won before and that gave me the power to do the best. Recognition is very instrumental as it builds confidence in an artist,” he said. Murenza said it was good to be battling out with one of the artists at the centre as they can share ideas as well as impart their knowledge to fellow artists.

His piece titled “Mother’s Day” was nominated in the prestigious arts awards while Tandi’s “Happy elephant” got the nod to compete with other pieces. Arts Centre chairman Taurai Tigere said he was happy that their artists are being recognised.

“This is a huge endorsement for our artists and I am sure they are working extra hard to be recognised on such big platforms,” he said. We will have a number of exhibitions this year so that we give more room for the artists. Since 2008 the Arts Centre has produced artists that have been shortlisted on the outstanding visual artists’ lists.

Last year Rizimu Chiwawa and Murenza won the award on different categories at NAMA.