Describing the development as the fulfilment of a long-held dream, Mr. Donderer said the gallery will become a permanent home for ART27 members and a welcoming exhibition space for artists across The Gambia.
“This gallery is a big dream for all of us,” he said. “It will be a safe haven for our members and a place where artists will always have the opportunity to showcase their work.”
The 360-square-metre facility is expected to address a long-standing challenge facing Gambian artists, many of whom currently rely on craft markets, small studios and temporary venues to display their artwork. The new gallery will provide a modern and stable environment for exhibitions while creating opportunities to connect artists with collectors, tourists and the wider public.
Mr. Donderer said the project has also been designed as a sustainable business venture. In addition to buying and selling artwork, the gallery will generate income by renting commercial spaces, hosting workshops, operating a café and bar, and working with tour operators to attract visitors to Kartong.
“Our aim is for the gallery to become financially sustainable within three years,” he said.
The gallery will officially open with “BIG & BOLD,” an inaugural exhibition featuring between 20 and 25 large-scale paintings created by artists participating in the ART27 residency programme.
“This will be an exhibition that The Gambia has not seen before,” Mr. Donderer added, noting that the collection is expected to tour other venues, including Senegal, after its initial four-week display.
He said ART27 members have been actively involved in shaping the gallery through consultations and collective decision-making on its design and style.
Mr. Donderer also highlighted the group’s collaboration with the African Art Gallery at the Senegambia Hotel, describing it as a valuable partnership that will continue under the new initiative.
While renovation works and administrative preparations are ongoing, he expressed confidence that the gallery will become a major platform for artistic expression, cultural exchange and entrepreneurship.
“I don’t pressure myself about the opening date. When it is ready, it is ready,” he said. “What matters is that by the end of this year, Gambian artists will have the professional platform they truly deserve.”
The ART27 Gallery is expected to mark a significant milestone in the development of The Gambia’s creative sector by providing artists with a permanent exhibition space while promoting cultural tourism and expanding opportunities for Gambian art on the regional and international stage.
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