Preparations are far advanced, as the Banjul Art Festival scheduled for later this year draws near.
The aim of the festival is to bring together African painting artists in Banjul in November of this year.
In a chat with Entertainment last Tuesday, Yusupha Kala, a veteran Nigerian painter residing in The Gambia said this festival, which he is organising, will bring together Gambian and African young artists in an exhibition. He revealed that the opening will be in Banjul, but the venue proper is going to be at the Alliance Franco-Gambene.
Yusupha Kala explained that the event, which will be the first of its kind, would open opportunity for young unexposed artists to interact and forge links with their counterparts from other African contries.
He maintained that the festival is purposely not for profit, but to use it to help those of our counterparts.
He added that the forum is expected to help them in many ways as far as painting is concerned.
"We also want to help young upcoming artists especially those at home to re-integrate their skills to each other.
"This is the first of its kind in the history of art in The Gambia. We expect it to be a grand occasion as prominent artists within the continent are expected, especially those from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana as well," he said. Meanwhile, the organisers are calling on interested artists to prepare for the event come November 2009 by working on their painting. The event is also expected to host a workshop for school-going children, future artists, which will be in the form for validating their skills.
