Art and craft exhibition opens in Kumasi

Kumasi, July 8, GNA - The annual Ashanti Regional art and craft exhibition has opened with an appeal for the construction of a Regional Art Centre.

Mr Eric Tei Matey, Deputy Director of Visual Art Department of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi, said this would aid artists and craftsmen to market their products.

He said the absence of such a facility was making it difficult for some of them to sell their products, adding that, the situation where they relied solely on official exhibitions to make sales was unhelpful to the growth of the industry.

"Promoting national development through art and culture" is the theme for the four-week exhibition.

About 60 exhibitors are participating in the event.

Mr Matey said as part of the programme the exhibitors would be assisted to adopt best practices to become more competitive.

He underscored the crucial role art and craft played in socio-economic development, saying, it helps to boost tourism through paintings and sculpture.

Added to this, is the education of the youth on the cultural beliefs and practices as well as the norms and values inherent in the nation's traditions and culture.

Mr Samuel Francis Adjei, Director in-charge of the CNC, called on the exhibitors to add value to their products to boost their marketability on the international market.