16 Sep 2026

Local artists, in collaboration with professional artists from the United States of America, have embarked on a project to transform public spaces in Maun into vibrant outdoor art galleries.

They have created colourful murals at identified sites, including Maun Kgotla, Life Centre, Maun Educational Park and Dusty Donkey Restaurant along the airport road.

The initiative followed a two-week workshop facilitated by the Okavango Arts Exchange in partnership with Mural Supply Company, focusing on artistic exchange and training local artists in mural and mosaic techniques.

In an interview, Botlhe Mauchaza said the training came at an opportune time, noting that travellers were increasingly seeking art tourism and immersive cultural experiences to understand the authentic identity of destinations.

She said travellers preferred meaningful stories and local interactions rather than merely visiting famous monuments.

“We view mural art as a vital lens for understanding a destination’s authentic culture and identity. 

These murals reflect a destination’s unique heritage, history and diversity, offering travellers a deeper and more authentic connection to the community,” she said.

Mauchaza said the artworks had transformed some public spaces into colourful outdoor galleries that told stories of resilience and heritage.

She said investment in public art could transform Maun into an art hub while diversifying its tourism product.Mauchaza further noted that Maun was rich in culture, with diverse ethnic groups that could benefit from their cultural assets, traditions and artistic skills to global markets.

The founder of Mural Supply Company and muralist, Manson Lackey, said they saw an opportunity to train local artists through an art exchange programme involving experts from the United States. The initiative, he said, was intended to share advanced techniques in public art, murals and mosaic work.

More than 40 artists from across the country benefited from the workshop, which aimed to help artists move beyond raw talent, build strong personal brands and market their work beyond Botswana’s borders.

Lackey said the training was also crucial in fostering cross-cultural storytelling and transforming local creatives into professionals.

“As a way of giving back to the community, we decided to paint some stunning murals in identified public areas, turning them into vibrant attractions,” he said.

He said murals could beautify villages through visually striking paintings while promoting culture and art-focused tourism, which had become increasingly popular.

At the end of the training, organisers hosted an open market day to celebrate the residency and showcase the mural artists’ work to the community. ENDS