Designers, artisans and generally lovers of art and craft have a reason to smile between 30 September and 16 October 2015. Yes, it might seem a tad goofy to smile continuously during that duration but Craft Afrika is hosting the 2015 edition of Afrika Handmade Symposium and Gallery so smile away all you can!
The event will exhibit a select number of designers and artisans, the idea being to create visibility and access to contemporary handmade and design products in an atmosphere as far away from a market place as possible.
In Kenya, the word ‘craft’ has long been associated with the ubiquitous open-air markets that sell mass produced curios and souvenirs. However, there has been a gradual evolution of a more contemporary genre; one that displays sophistication in style and detail and that answers to the exacting quality demands of a global clientele. Africa Handmade was thus developed as a strategic activity to create awareness and access to this genre.
A special feature of the Gallery will be the five designers who make up the East Africa collective of Design Network Africa – a program funded by the Danish organization, Centre for Culture and Development (CKU). These designers include Bud Design, Adele Dejak, Sky Décor, Zimbabwean Majorie Wallace and master weavers Uganda Crafts from Kampala.
During the event, there will also be a 2-day symposium on 1-2 October which will provide a dynamic platform for the sharing of ideas and resources. Speakers representing various interests will speak on production models, maximizing on ICTs, distribution of creative goods and services, intellectual property rights and business financing options.
The event comes to a close on 17 October, with a ceremony to confer three AH Lifetime Achievement Awards to Alan Donovan, Jacqueline Resley and Elkana Ongesa as a tip of the hat to their significant contribution to the handmade and design sector in Kenya and Africa at large.