Nakivale Young Artists Expo - June 1st
An Online Cross-Cultural Art Exchange with Young Refugee Artists
In my last post, I hinted at new opportunities and experiences that I wanted to share. This is one of them!
POST-EVENT UPDATE! Our event was such a success that I created a Refugee Artist Support Circle; you can upgrade to paid subscriptions to support the artists and enjoy fun rewards in the process! Check out the intro post here with an amazing short video of the artists’ works in process.
You’re invited!
On Saturday June 1st, 2024 at 9 am Eastern Standard Time (2 pm London, 4 pm Kampala), I am facilitating and co-hosting an online artist expo and exchange featuring the work of 10 artists between the ages of 15 and 20 living in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda.
Eventbrite Link Here to Register!
View our Young Artist Profiles here!
This event is the first of many online events that will connect these and other young artists with others in the art world: artists, art lovers, art appreciators and loving humans across the world! We believe that these young artists, who fled war and conflict (often as children) and continue to face harsh living conditions, should have the largest stage possible to share their passion, talent, and their stories. Art has been their solace, their refuge, their balm, their passion, and - we hope - a source of income! We are honored to bring their art and stories to you and the world.
What to expect
Our event is online via Zoom. It will last 1.5 hours and will feature 10 arists between the ages of 15 and 20 and their work. After a short introduction of the event, each artist will share one or two pieces of art and talk about their inspiration, technique and medium. Participation and questions are encouraged! Most of the artists speak English; however, for those who are not as fluent, we have two co-hosts capable of interpreting.
How to participate
Tickets are $5 per person on Eventbrite. You must register on Eventbrite to participate; the Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants several hours prior to the event.
Eventbrite Link Here to Register!
Ticket proceeds will be used to purchase sketchbooks and paints for the artists. Students and those living on the African continent can join for free with a code - message me or leave a comment! If you cannot attend, we plan on recording the event on Zoom and sharing widely here and on social media.
Event Co-Hosts
We are three passionate organizers who met based on a common love of art. We also share the conviction that art is a common language and can bring people together. We believe that sharing art fosters understanding, compassion, empathy and action. A few people doing a few small things together can have great impact!
Elijah Astute, Founder of Bio-Green and Nakivale Arts Collective. Astute is a 24-year-old Congolese refugee living in Uganda's Nakivale Refugee Settlement since 2016, Elijah is a multi-talented changemaker, leader, entrepreneur, and activist (not to mention a soap maker, yoga teacher, artist, and poet). "Born in Bukavu, Congo, I had dreams of becoming a software engineer or astronomer. However, the war forced me to flee, leaving my education behind. Overcoming adversity after arriving in Nakivale, I faced numerous challenges, including being refused by the Refugee Eligibility Committee and spending two years on the streets. Despite these obstacles, I discovered permaculture and earned certifications in Permaculture Design (PDC) and Mushroom cultivation." Elijah has raised funds to build an education and community center in Nakivale where he holds training in crafts, soap-making, and other skills to empower community members, especially women and youth.
Akon Deograce, Founder of Nakivale Young Talent Community. Deograce is the 22-year old founder and CEO of Nakivale young talents community. He left his origin country of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012 when he was 10, fleeing the chaos of war. His family, once a sanctuary of love and laughter for 14 souls, was tragically fragmented by the conflict, leaving only 7 survivors. Akon, alongside his remaining kin, embarked on a treacherous odyssey, finally finding refuge at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Always drawn to the arts, dance, modeling, drawing, and painting, Akon founded Nakivale Young Talent Community in 2021, an initiative where he could channel his passion for change into action. "It was a commitment to lift others as I climbed, to turn the tide of despair into waves of opportunity for the children, youth, women and teenage mothers of my community." At NYTC, Akon and his fellow activist/changemakers teach and practice drawing, painting, sewing, soapmaking and other skills.
Emily Kaminsky, RainMaker Design & Spaghetti Twisted Thoughts Substack. Kaminsky is a 50-year old community development finance professional with an active arts and volunteer life. RainMaker Design is the moniker of her “crochet for a cause” Etsy shop where 100% of crochet sales are donated to sustainable agriculture, arts, and women entrepreneurship programs in East Africa (and dog rescues if you buy pup bandanas!). She is an artist, writer, and mom of three boys.
Where is Nakivale?
Nakivale is located in Southwest Uganda and is the oldest refugee settlement in Africa, established in 1959 when the Tutsis fled one of the first conflicts in Rwanda.
For a 20-minute ride through Nakivale, this YouTube video provides a “one day tour” of the Settlement.
Nakivale Settlement sits on 71 square miles and houses 182,000 refugees as of December 2023. The settlement is made up of 79 villages each with an average of 800-1,000 people. The population is primarily made up of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thank you Antoinette for the restack! Tickets for this event are free for students and folks living in Africa. Message me for details!