KCDF Launches 'Art for Change Exhibition' with 40 Local Artists and Over 500 Pieces Of Art

KCDF Board Vice Chair, Mrs. Rose Mambo said that the exhibition marks a special moment for the organization as it brings together art and community development in a celebration of creativity and social impact. "Art has power to transcend boundaries and connect people from all walks of life. It serves as a universal language that communicates emotions, sparks conversations, and ignites change.”

The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has today launched its second edition of the 'Art for Change Exhibition' featuring more than 40 artists and showcasing over 500 pieces of art, in a week-long event that seeks to raise resources towards its matching grant project model, also known as PamojaForChange.

Themed "Our Communities - Art for Change," the exhibition is taking place at the Sarit Expo Centre, Cherangani Hall, Westlands, and brings together painters, sculptors, illustrators, and community development actors, and embodies the spirit of creativity and community development. By leveraging the power of art, KCDF aims to uplift communities and enable them to create a better future for themselves.

The event showcases incredible local artistic talent and highlights the impact of collective efforts in driving sustainable change. Through the matching grant project model, KCDF encourages local giving and the promotion of self-reliance, through empowering marginalized and disadvantaged communities to identify their development challenges and find solutions using their own resources.

The Art for Change exhibition is taking place at the Sarit Expo Centre, Cherangani Hall, Westlands, Nairobi. It is open till Saturday 5th August.

Under this model, communities contribute 50% of the resources needed for their development projects, and KCDF matches the communities' contribution. This approach fosters a sense of ownership, self-reliance, and confidence within communities, enabling them to tackle their own development challenges.

KCDF is a public philanthropic foundation in Kenya that supports sustainable community-driven development. Formed in 1997, KCDF is the first and oldest indigenous foundation of its kind in East Africa. The team behind KCDF believes that systemic and lasting change is possible when communities initiate and drive their development agenda, work with governments and other actors to access basic rights and services as well as harness and grow their resources.

The 2023 ‘Art for Change Exhibition’ is also live and accessible through the KCDF website www.kcdf.or.ke.

Ms. Meera Pandit, the CEO of Asian Foundation addressing guests at the launch.

Ms. Grace Mangi, the KCDF Executive Director highlighted the importance of the event and its significance to the community. "This exhibition is all about putting our communities at the centre, therefore all proceeds from this event will go towards supporting projects in our communities." She said.

The exhibition has been curated by Mr. William Ndwiga and the Little gallery.

Some of the artists, guests and art enthusiasts who attended the launch event.

Some of the members of the Asian Foundation, one of the key partners of the project alongside GA Insurance, The Little Gallery, Sarit Centre and The Daily Cafe and Bistro.

The art exhibition has 40 artists showcasing over 500 pieces of art.

These metal art pieces by artist Joseph Bertiers are also on sale .

Unique art using sleeper woods (railline pieces, over 100 years old), metal and found objects by Maggie Otieno. Bigger ones (over 2m high) are going for Ksh 1,000,000 and smaller ones (84cm) for approximately Ksh75,000.

This art exhibition has a very wide variety of types of arts, from mixed-media to metal fabrications and other materials.

[Photos courtesy of KCDF and Art News Kenya/Karakana.]