10 Apr 2024

Thapong Visual Arts Centre and HB Botswana have partnered in an outreach programme dubbed: Taking art to the people.

The project was initiated by Thapong Visual Arts Centre to sensitise people and to market the artworks of local visual artists. Thapong arts coordinator, Reginald Bakwena said they had engaged various corporate and investment companies to exhibit in their spaces, such as HB Botswana as there were not many art galleries in the country.

Speaking about the project at a media engagement on Tuesday, Bakwena said HB Botswana was a strategic partner because of the nature of their business.

“When diamond buyers come through, our art will be displayed and they will surely take a keen interest and buy our pieces,” he said, adding that the international company would also take Botswana art outside the country.

 He noted that diamond buyers came to Botswana but were unable to visit art centres such as Thapong, adding that the initiative would allow them to view local artworks and to buy them.

He also said there were rented artworks displayed at HB Botswana and that the proceeds would go to artists.

“The artists do not only benefit from sales, as there is also a fee that the company pays the artists for renting their artworks and displaying them in their walls,” he said.

Noting that it was the intellectual property of the artists, Bakwena said they needed to make a living from their property, adding that it was aligned to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision of a knowledge based economy for Botswana.

The art to the people project started in 2023 and a number of artists have sold their artworks to the international market through HB Botswana.

The project entails displaying art works by different local artists every three months for new or existing buyers.

Bakwena said their partnership with HB Botswana was for three years.

For his part, HB Botswana communications director, Bonjo Mathumo said it was their way of showing commitment to Batswana, adding that they have also partnered with other local organisations in the past for similar projects to inspire a positive change.

He noted their collaboration with Botswana Tourism Organisation through Suspicious Antwerp in the ‘Butterfly Effect’ project.

He said the Butterfly Effect project sought to foster international and Batswana talent and elevate sustainable tourism through a unique fusion of cross-cultural and artistic expression. ENDSThapong Visual Arts Centre and HB Botswana have partnered in an outreach programme dubbed: Taking art to the people.

The project was initiated by Thapong Visual Arts Centre to sensitise people and to market the artworks of local visual artists. Thapong arts coordinator, Reginald Bakwena said they had engaged various corporate and investment companies to exhibit in their spaces, such as HB Botswana as there were not many art galleries in the country.

Speaking about the project at a media engagement on Tuesday Bakwena said HB Botswana was a strategic partner because of the nature of their business.

“When diamond buyers come through, our art will be displayed and they will surely take a keen interest and buy our pieces,” he said, adding that the international company would also take Botswana art outside the country.

 He noted that diamond buyers came to Botswana but were unable to visit art centres such as Thapong, adding that the initiative would allow them to view local artworks and to buy them.

He also said there were rented artworks displayed at HB Botswana and that the proceeds would go to artists.

“The artists do not only benefit from sales, as there is also a fee that the company pays the artists for renting their artworks and displaying them in their walls,” he said.

Noting that it was the intellectual property of the artists, Bakwena said they needed to make a living from their property, adding that it was aligned to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision of a knowledge based economy for Botswana.

The art to the people project started in 2023 and a number of artists have sold their artworks to the international market through HB Botswana.

The project entails displaying art works by different local artists every three months for new or existing buyers.

Bakwena said their partnership with HB Botswana was for three years.

For his part, HB Botswana communications director, Bonjo Mathumo said it was their way of showing commitment to Batswana, adding that they have also partnered with other local organisations in the past for similar projects to inspire a positive change.

He noted their collaboration with Botswana Tourism Organisation through Suspicious Antwerp in the ‘Butterfly Effect’ project.

He said the Butterfly Effect project sought to foster international and Batswana talent and elevate sustainable tourism through a unique fusion of cross-cultural and artistic expression. ENDS