16 Oct 2023

Kenny Arts and Botswana Council for the Disabled will hold an art exhibition to encourage stakeholders to invest in people with disabilities.

The event titled Inspiring Art Exhibition is billed for Game City rooftop, Gaborone on October 26 and will showcase 25 art pieces in contemporary and realistic art pieces under the theme: Art Ken Help.

“We have collaborated with Botswana Council for the Disabled because we wish for the disabled people to be involved in the art space and compete where necessary,” Kenny Arts Gallery Director Kenny Ketshotseng said. 

He said 10 per cent of the proceeds from each art piece sold would go toward Botswana Council for the Disabled as a contribution to the Disability Arts Fund.

Ketshotseng said through the exhibition, the aim was to create sustainable art exhibitions where people with disabilities would also contribute. He said the shift in mindset spoke to altering the public’s perception of individuals with disabilities and acknowledging that with the right support, they too could contribute to the economic growth of the country.

“Art in all its diverse forms has consistently showcased the exceptional talents of people with disabilities. They often possess high-end talents known as savant skills,” Ketshotseng said, adding that to unearth such talents, it was important to implement deliberate programmes that facilitate practice, coaching, mentorship and support within their environment.

As a build-up to the Inspiring Art Exhibition, Ketshotseng together with partners will today engage in a walk from Jwaneng which speaks to bringing change in mindset in the communities. 

The walk to promote the disability arts projects and inclusive development will see participants walk through Kanye, Moshupa, Thamaga and conclude in Gaborone in time for the exhibition.

Agisanyang Pitsane of Botswana Council for the Disabled said art could help raise issues around disabled people. She said they hoped to have a project next year by disabled people which would promote their artistic work. 

Pitsane ,who is living with disability appealed to stakeholders to come on board to empower and uplift people with disability in to enable them to contribute to their sustainable livelihood.

Executive Director of Botswana Council for the Disabled Moffat Louis said for the longest time, disabled people had been left behind in areas of development, particularly in the creative and sports sectors. Louis said they were looking into value-adding projects to close the gap in areas of sport and creativity.

He said they were looking for partners to realise that and appealed to stakeholders to come on board. 

“In order to realise a high-income economy, we need inclusivity for all in the country,” Louis said. ENDS