An Art Festival is on the preparation to bring together African painting artists expected to hold in Banjul September this year.

In a brief chat with Entertainment, Yusupha Kala, a veteran Nigerian painter residing in The Gambia, is organising the festival, revealed that the Banjul Art Festival will bring together both African and young Gambian artists in an exhibition to be held at the Alliance Franco-Gambiene.

According to Yusupha Kal, the event, which will be the first of its kind, will open the opportunity for young but unexposed artists to interact and forge links with their counterparts from other African countries.
However, the festival is purposely not for profit, but we intend to use it to help those of our counterparts, who have been exposed. The forum is expected to help them in many ways as far as painting is concerned. We also want to help young up coming artists especially those at home to reintegrate their skills and know how to each other.

This is the first of its kind in the history of art in The Gambia. We expect it to be a grand occasion, as prominent artists within the continent are expected, especially those from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana as well, Yusupha Kala explained.
Meanwhile, the organiser has called on interested artists to prepare for the event in September by working on their paintings. The event is also expected to host a workshop for school-going aged future artists, which will be in the form of validating their skills.