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Some 100 sculptures have been submitted by Manicaland artists for the Mutare Show of the Arts

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Preparations for the Manicaland Show of the Arts are at an advanced stage, organisers have said. Running under the theme “Extreme Heat (Kwapisisa)”, the show will be held on July 25.

Director of National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe Mutare Elizabeth Muusha said their main aim was to promote visual arts in Manicaland province.

“This initiative started when the gallery opened in 1999 and the idea was to promote and motivate our visual artists in the province,” said Muusha. She said they have challenged artists to produce works that are in line with the theme.

“What we did was to come up with a theme and the artists will then come up with works describing the theme,” she added. Muusha said by doing so they wanted artists to come up with different works as they explain the theme.

By Tuesday they had received more than 100 works. “Our deadline was 10th of this month and the response was overwhelming.

“We have so far received 100 pieces of works and the judges are already working on them,” she said.

According to Muusha, the event is getting bigger each year and this year they have roped in learning institutions from the seven districts of Manicaland. “We want to catch them young and give them the vision that they can survive through art and we have included students from different colleges, universities, community and schools from the seven districts of Manicaland,” she said. However, she could not reveal the prizes that will be given to those who shine at the event.

“That is our challenge for now and we cannot announce what winners will get at the show,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Thabeth Malinga-Kanengoni will be the guest of honour.