By Mcloyd Chilangiza:
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda on Friday reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a National Arts and Culture Centre.
Chimwendo was speaking at Four Seasons in Lilongwe when he presided over the official opening of the ninth edition of the biannual Art in the Park organised by Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Wesm).
“This is a flagship project for art which would have a national theatre, school for the arts and national museum,” he said.
The minister further said that the ministry is geared to support artists to showcase and market their works internationally, saying that, at the moment, a team of fashion designers and models were in Conakry, Guinea, exhibiting their works.
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“Artists are doing a great job and I believe that this is not only local; they can take it to the international level.
“We need to support them and also give them a platform so that they continue showcasing their works just as they have done here at Art in the Park,” he said.
The minister also encouraged creatives to join their associations and artists welfare fund so as to speak with one voice as well as create business opportunities.
Wesm Branch Manager Chifundo Dalireni said they were impressed with the works displayed by over 30 artists during the three-day event and that they were set to bridge the artistic exhibition gap in the country.
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“These platforms are rarely there and, so, as Wesm, we are trying to bring artists together and this is why we also invited delegates such as ambassadors, heads of missions and government officials for them to offer support,” Dalireni said.
The opening of Art in the Park was spiced up by different performances including traditional dances.
The event, under the theme ‘Malawi’, ended Sunday.
