22 Jul 2018

The annual Clifton Art Exhibition, which accord artists the opportunity to showcase their talent and further make money from their artwork will be held in Francistown from July 25-27. 

In an interview, the coordinator of the art exhibition at Clifton, Martie Sharrock said the exhibition would be on its 16^th year. 

The upcoming event, she said, was run by the Clifton Parents Teachers Association (PTA) committee.

“We are flexible in terms of what artists can bring for exhibition at our event in that we accept drawings, photos, sculptors and paintings. Also, the event is not open to Francistown artists only.  We accept artworks from artists in such countries as South Africa and Zimbabwe provided their artworks can make it to Francistown before the set deadline of 20 July 2018.” she said.

On its maiden years, she noted, the art exhibition used to accept only artworks from Francistown-based artists but as it grew, they saw it fit to include regional and international artists in order to give local artists an international exposure. 

“The art exhibition also serves as a networking platform for artists to network and share ideas on new art techniques and upcoming arts events,” she said.

Additionally, the art exhibition serves to raise funds for the school PTA because in every artwork sold, the Clifton PTA gets to keep 20 per cent of individual sale. 

Furthermore, the event is used as an educational platform for school children to get inspiration pertaining to art from more advanced artists.

Fortunately, for the organisers,  she said despite lack of sponsors, the event’s successes each year enables them to always coordinate and organise it with ease.

Sharrock noted that the attendance was always satisfactory as it had always kept a steady attendance register, saying there were 24 art exhibitors this year, the same number that was recorded last year. 

She said he highest number they ever recorded was 26 in 2016. 

“We also do not reject artworks without frames. Also, if the customer likes the artwork but not particularly keen with the frame, we allow the customer to renegotiate the art price with the artist,” she highlighted.

She however, noted that the Clifton PTA reserved the right not to exhibit works deemed not suitable for primary school pupils, saying such works would only be given an exhibition space during the launch night when there were no children allowed.

Sharrock encouraged upcoming artists to cast out the fear of showcasing their works, saying it takes bravery for an artist to exhibit their talent.

One of the local fine artists, Nelson Mbangwa, who has exhibited his work at the exhibition from 2013 to 2016, appreciated the efforts of the school to support the arts in Francistown.

“There are not many fine arts exhibition events in the arts calendar of Francistown, so we are always happy to know that Clifton will be hosting the arts exhibit every year. 

Apart from the Clifton art exhibit, there is also another exhibit held annually at the Francistown Golf Club,” he noted.

He said compared to their counterparts in Gaborone, they still need more support as artists, noting that making money at the event was always guaranteed for many of the local artists. ENDS