THE fifth edition of the Wild Geese Art Festival will be held once more at Wild Geese Lodge on June 11 this year.
The auspicious festival which is set at attract thousands of people from around Harare will start from 10 am to 4pm.
Artists, Sculptors, photographers and ceramic artists from all over Zimbabwe will show there work.
Event organizer Leslie Johnson said people should expect nothing short of pomp and funfair as the festival is going to be a top notch event.
“Last year we had 187 artists and more than 2500 people through the gate, but this year we are only accepting 150 artists. We offer an opportunity for artist to set up their own stand, make their own sales and interact with both the public and fellow artists.
“There is no charge for a stand and the artists are only asked to donate 10 percent of their sales. This goes towards advertising and administration and the public are asked for a donation at the gate. Seven different charities have benefited in the past from these donations,” he said.
Johnson said this year they are supporting Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ), Aware Trust and Kubatana Kids and that all gate donations goes to the charities.
“This year we will have swipe facilities in place to assist with sales so please make sure you leave with a few pieces of the exciting and creative work on display. Delicious eats and bar facilities are available. Evicted is once more providing music and there is Parking for more than 1000 vehicles.
“The highlight of the day is the painting demonstration. Twenty artists form a circle around easels, they are given a canvas, paints, a brush and the subject and, painting to music, they complete a painting in 15 minutes. This is a fun event and enjoyed by all,” said Johnson.
The objective of the event is the promotion of local artists, including painters and sculptors, and helping them earn a living through selling their art.
The festival was started in 2012 and each year it has grown in the number of participating artists, the number of visitors and, most important, in the amount of art sold.
Artists must register and, once accepted, exhibit for free with a small percentage of sales going to the organizers to cover administration and promotion costs.
Leslie Johnson will communicate with each and every artist, sees their work and ensures the work shown is of top-class standard.
In 2016, 187 artists exhibited, about 3 000 visitors came through the gates and more than $40 000 worth of art was sold.
Donations at the gate went to Pensioners Aid and Waterholes in Hwange. Art Festival 2017 will be just as good.
