Nairobi National Museum 2017 Artist in Residence exhibition

The Nairobi National Museum’s Art Club (NANAMAC) provides students with opportunities to learn, practice and enhance their artistic skills. The Artists in Residence exhibition is part of the program.

NANAMAC offered a two-month art mentorship program in June and July 2017 with no limits on material, media, size, or theme. The program is a platform for young creatives, who have completed high school and intend to further explore their talents, to be introduced into the Kenyan art scene.

Activities included mentorship sessions from museum staff and established artists, practical hands-on art sessions, inspirational behind-the-scenes musuem tours, community engagement, gallery and studio visits, culminating in curating and participating in an art exhibition. Each participant received a certificate upon successful completion of the program.

Visiting artists interacting with the mentorship participants included Nadia Kisseleva, Dinesh Shah, Kmau Ng’ari, John Silver, Oliver Okoth Martin, Remy Musindi, and Jeffie Magina. There were also exhibits department tours with Emmanuel Kariuki, Gilbert Ouma, and Nicholas Muema.

The progam included a visit to the Dust Depo Studio and gallery to participate in ‘A day with Patrick Mukabi and Depo artists.’ Other gallery tours included Kui Wachira at Circle Art Agency and Tonney Mugo at Karen Village, as well as an Inua Mimi Kibera Kids workshop. There was also a Museum Hill Bridge Restoration visit with Leonard Kateete and Lydia Galavu, and a mural experience in the upcoming Osteology exhibition.

The mentorship participants were Annabelle Jr (Eunice Ndung’u), Melanie Manosi, Agnes Wanjiru, Michelle Aveva, Antony Mbaaria, and Brenda Waithira, with guest participants Peris Waremo and Patrick Nderitu.

By Patrick Nderitu

Power by Annabelle Jr

Frustration Corner by Melanie Manosi

Live Painting at the Museum, by Jeffie Magina

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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