Preparations are already at an advanced stage for the hosting of an art exhibition that is expected to bring together both African and young Gambian painting artists.

The exhibition, which is slated for September this year at the Alliance Franco Gambienne, is organised by Yusupha Kala, a Nigerian born painter residing in The Gambia.

According to Yusupha Kala, 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. He noted that the festival is purposely not for profit, but it is intended to help those painters, who have been already exposed. “The forum is expected to help painters 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 teach others”, Mr Kala told the Point in an interview yesterday.

This, he added, 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 said. He called on interested artists to prepare for the event in September by working on their paintings. The organizers are expected to host a workshop for school-going people and future artists, which will be in the form of skills validation.