Rwandan artists; Emmanuel Nkuranga Mainevent and Innocent Nkurunziza from the art cooperative; Ivuka Arts will showcase a selection of their cooperative’s contemporary African paintings at the University of Scranton, northeast Pennsylvania due to Nov. 4, and will also showcase the products at the Everything Natural in the New York City with a Live Art.
Nkuranga told igihe.com that their performance is intended to create awareness to the American students while showcasing how the Rwandan arts have contributed to the community.
“Art is something tangible and can transform health, economic and social standards of the community,” said Nkuranga.
Ivuka Arts is deeply committed to using the arts in various ways to heal post-genocide Rwanda and to rebuild the country economically.
While at the event, the two artists will show 15 to 20 paintings that provide a sample of the work of their member artists.
According to Nkuranga, the full art show was supposed to open at Everything Natural, 426 S. State Street on Sept. 16, but has been postponed to Nov. 4 and the artists will be there in person to conduct a live painting demonstration.
Other sources say that the exhibition will launch Everything Natural’s Home, Hearth and World Open House, which will also introduce locally baked treats from Peaceful Valley Bakery in Justus and feature live music by At Home, a Dallas- based duo, along with food sampling, reflexology, chair massage and informational exhibits.
The Arts collective runs a traditional dance program for street children. Nkuranga teaches art at a local orphanage in what he named ‘Art with a mission’ and sells their paintings at their gallery; he also has begun an art program for local cardiac patients.
The artists are heading to northeast Pennsylvania at the invitation of Sharon Meagher, a professor of Philosophy and the Chair of the Department of Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies at The University of Scranton.
Meagher met the artists last summer when she was doing some consulting work for the Centre for Gender, Culture and Development at the Kigali Institute of Education.
She returned with a colleague and some University of Scranton students in January. “Our students were so inspired by these artists, and I am too,” said Meagher. “Their visit is a great opportunity for both the University and local communities to learn more about Rwanda’s present situation and hopes for the future.”
Their only previous North American show was held by special invitation of President Bill and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
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