Past Exhibition

The National Art of Botswana: Contemporary Art & Craft

February 16 – March 14, 2015

The Wayne Art Center and the Republic of Botswana and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture are very proud to present this first ever exhibition, The National Art of Botswana; Contemporary Art and Craft Exhibition from February 16 – March 14, 2015. Phillip Segola, Curator of this exhibition and Moruledi Jeremiah, basket maker will be traveling from Botswana for the installation and the exhibition opening that will take place on Sunday, February 22, from 3- 5 pm at the Wayne Art Center. The exhibition, featured in the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Gallery will include basketry, paintings, prints and photographs. All work is for sale and will benefit the artists of Botswana.

Nancy Campbell, Executive Director of the Wayne Art Center was very passionate about presenting this multi-cultural project in honor of Black History Month, commenting, This exhibition and related educational programs are an important opportunity to create a rich cultural exchange between the artists of Botswana and our community

With the facilitation of Ambassador Seretse, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Nancy Campbell, Wayne Art Center and Dr. Harvey and Cindy Friedman, this exhibition came to fruition. Cindy Friedman is a professional studio artist working in the Philadelphia area for more than 30 years. She works primarily in silk and makes art quilts. Her husband, Harvey M. Friedman, MD is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and for the past 13 plus years has been the Director of the Botswana-UPenn Partnership (BUP), which is comprised of three main partners; the Government of Botswana, the University of Botswana and the University of Pennsylvania. The BUP believes that quality medicine should be available to populations in need. Through clinical care, research and medical education, the BUP is devoted to building capacity in sustainable and high quality healthcare in Botswana.

BUP has taken the Friedmans to Botswana many times and because of that exceptional opportunity, Cindy has developed personal relationships with many of the artists in Gaborone, the capital city where they stay when in Botswana. She has also built a close relationship with the National Museum of Botswana, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, The Kalahari Quilt shop and owner/quilt artist Jenny Healy and the Kuru Development Trust. She has taken four art quilt exhibitions to Botswana since 2008 and has taught workshops while visiting. The costs incurred for this exhibition are underwritten by the Republic of Botswana.

Click here to read the ticket-to-entertainment.com article

Photo Article from Mainline Media News

A series of educational programs for all ages have been developed as part of the exhibition, The National Art of Botswana.

Key Event Dates:
February 16 – March 14, 2015: The National Art of Botswana, Contemporary Art & Craft Exhibition in the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Gallery.
February 16-20, 10:30am – 2:30pm: Basket Making Demonstrations with Moruledi Jeremiah.
February 20, 12:30-1:30PM: Curator’s talk with Phillip Segola.
February 21, 10:30am – 3:30pm: Basket Making Demonstration with Moruledi Jeremiah.
February 22, 3:00 – 5:00pm: Opening Reception, Basket Making Demonstration and Related Events.
February 22, 4:30pm: Curator’s Talk with Phillip Segola.
March 4, 7:30 – 8:30pm: Lecture Series, The Impact of Diamonds on Health & Culture in Botswana, and the Global Ramifications by Dr. Harvey Friedman.
March 7, 1:00 – 3:00pm: African Block Printing Workshop (Ages 9-12) with Marlene Adler.
March 14, 10:00am – 12:00pm: African Animal Block Printing Workshop (Ages 6-8) with Abby Laible.