Charles Farai Chikandiwa (centre) with Chinhoyi University of Technology lecturers
Mr Garikayi Chikowore (left) and Mr Dhewa (right) at Chipinge Country Club
ART exhibitions are events in which visual objects are put on display into a space for a temporary period. The arts collections might be by one artist (known as solo exhibitions) or a group of artists. The theme portrayed by the objects may be varied or strictly one theme.
Art works are designed using various media like metals, fabric, paintings, sculpture, photography or paper. For them to become exhibitions, the artworks have to be displayed in public libraries, museums, clubs, show grounds, gardens, or private galleries.
Aims of holding art exhibitions include art education, selling of artefacts, networking with other artists, marketing themselves to prospective clients or students displaying artwork as part of their educational coursework. Above all, artists market themselves for future careers since they have to make a living out of their visual arts.
Career opportunities that arise for visual artists include becoming curators, art critics, gallery workers, corporate designers for mass media houses and advertising agents, art handlers, art dealers and commissioners.
How do art exhibitions become tourist attractions?
Art exhibitions fall under non-consumptive tourism where people enjoy scenic features, photography, and to some extent, collecting of souvenirs. Students constitute the bigger segment of non-consumptive tourism consumers. Learning institutions are popular with organising holiday trips and educational trips dubbed look-and -learn tours.
Charles Chikandiwa guides the Guest of Honour, Mrs Hezel Sithole during the art exhibition
Art exhibitions are usually viewed free-of-charge. This makes them popular with students who might require only travelling expenses to the venue. Exhibitions are usually held in friendly environments which are conducive for learning purposes. The artists take time to lecture students how they approach their form of arts. What is required for the artist(s) to keep drawing this segment of tourists is that the artists have to advertise their events well in advance so that learning institutions include the exhibitions on their holiday and look-and-learn tour calendars.
Another motivational factor for students attending art exhibitions is that most of the artists who hold exhibitions are those still networking with the business world so their artworks are affordable especially to students. Established artists usually produce expensive art pieces.
Apart from the students, corporate heads usually attend such exhibitions to get inspiration on the corporate designs by young minds. Most corporates need artist expressions of corporate logos and other public relations designs. Since upcoming artists are not expensive, corporate heads use exhibitions to identify raw talent to contract on enhancing their image. The growth of the young talents means the growth of their corporates. The famous the artists becomes in future, the famous the organisations become.
Another factor that attracts tourists to art exhibitions is that the artists tend to display the cream of their artworks in order for them to compete on the global platform. The tourists will be treated with classic designs. Art collectors then buy classic artefacts for a cheaper price.
Above all, art galleries offer an opportunity for tourists to interact with the host communities in a friendly environment as people admire artists’ creativity. Art exhibitions attract people from different walks of life and are a platform where all groups can gather freely for fun.
An art exhibition was held at Chipinge Country Club in Chipinge last Thursday to Saturday. Held under the theme “Through my eyes,” the solo exhibition by 29 year-old Charles Farai Chikandiwa who is a Fine Arts student at Chinhoyi University of Technology, drew students and business people from the entire district. On display were metal designs, fabric designs, drawings and video displays.
PICTURE: Metal expression of Birchenough Bridge by Charles Chikandiwa
According to Mr Garikayi Chikowore, a lecturer with Chinhoyi University of Technology who attended the exhibition, society cannot alienate itself from arts. Said Mr Chikowore: “Every facet of life depends on art, be it biology, science, industry or commerce. Art designs help professionals understand their trades. For this reason, people travel to arts exhibitions to view artists’ perspectives about whatever they need. You cannot underrate the power of art exhibitions.”
Guest of Honour, Director of Housing for Chipinge Town Council, Mrs Hezel Sithole revealed that the Chipinge local authority shall make it a point that the town hold at least an art exhibition every year since the event has proved to be a tourist attraction. Said Mrs Sithole: “Education and tourism are our key result areas so we shall continue to have arts exhibitions since they help us achieve our goals.”