01 Sep 2013

Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) on August 30 donated over P650 000 to Thapong Visual Arts Centre. The money donated would go towards refurbishment of the Thapong Art Gallery with the aim of creating an art gallery of international standards and size.

Handing over the cheque, DTCB corporate communications and public affairs manager, Kago Mmopi said DTCB took the opportunity to sponsor the refurbishment of the art gallery as a way of contributing to the upliftment of the standard of arts in Botswana.

Mr Mmopi said DTCB was committed to supporting government beneficiation adding that he saw investment in the arts as a key element of this effort. He highlighted that the aim of the project was to create an art gallery of international standards and size, which will accommodate and promote artworks from local, regional as well as international artists.

“This development will bring together crafts people, visual artists and potters under one roof to share their expertise and experiences,” he said. Once complete, Mr Mmopi said the facility will strengthen the visibility of Botswana artists and through the sale of art pieces, contribute to economic development of the country.

The gallery, he noted will undoubtedly help in the diversification of the economy of the country and also tell the great story of the arts in Botswana. “We make this investment with full confidence that it will return very good yields for Botswana artists as well as the local art industry in general”, he said.

For his part, Thapong Visual Arts Center Coordinator, Reginald Bakwena said the refurbishment and renovation of the art gallery is third part of a multi-phase plan. Bakwena said the renovation will go a long way in improving the center’s exhibition space for the increasing number of artists in Botswana.

“As Thapong, we are constantly thinking of ways to make ourselves self – sustaining,” he said. Bakwena said having a gallery of international standard will enhance the participation of artists, art appreciation, market, quality production and professional practice.

He said the issue of professionalism has always been a concern in the arts, adding that by getting such a facility comes as a challenge to the artists to change their approach towards work. “We need art galleries of high standard in order to have a dynamic working environment and showcase the best in Botswana’s contemporary visual arts,” he said.

Giving a vote of thanks, Thapong Visual Arts Center treasurer, Mesh Moeti expressed gratitude to the management of DTCB for showing leadership that as a nation, it is very important to invest in the arts. Moeti said this is an investment, which they are expecting for a return on investment.

He said he believes that the renovation of the art gallery fits well with the  transformation of Gaborone into an international diamond trading center. The new gallery, he said will give visitors to Gaborone more options of places of interest to visit. ENDS