Nubuke new dawn for art
If you have heard of Nubuke for years without knowing where it is or what it does let’s just say there is no mystery. Nubuke Foundation is dedicated to the promotion of Ghanaian visual art, culture and heritage.
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Located in the serene suburb of East Legon in Accra is a space where you are welcome to enjoy programmes ranging from exhibitions on art and Ghanaian culture, heritage and history, art workshops, poetry and drama.
In Ewe, ‘nubuke’ means a new dawn. What does it for me is that within the city’s concrete jungle and traffic chaos, this Shangri-La of creative peace can be found. Ok, so I’m not shy to say that when I want to get away from it all, my wandering feet sometimes lead me here.
I got acquainted with Nubuke courtesy Bernard Akoi Jackson, the famous artiste. Five years ago he met me back stage at an event at the national theatre and said repeatedly, ‘Kofi you must go to Nubuke, you must see the place’. When I eventually did, I found a haven. Madam Odile Tevie, the CEO and her crew have made sure I felt welcome any day.
What strikes you first is the sheer space. The near football pitch-size with its rich green grass all neatly enclosed within brick walls is simply inviting. The walls serve to hold art exhibitions and other art installations. There is no other such space dedicated to art that I have seen within the city.
The entire ground is artistically landscaped with a stage for performances. Royal palm trees which line the spaces and the bird watching opportunity make Nubuke a nature lover’s hideout.
The Foundation’s main mission is to preserve record and promote the visual art and culture of Ghana.
So what can you do at Nubuke? Well, apart from their public exhibitions and periodic cultural film shows one can also come for art advice. You can come for some education. Yes, art training for yourself or your kids.
Art workshops are available on request and can be taught during the week, evenings and at weekends for adults and children. My toddlers have already been there; for beads making. Plus, there is also a well-stocked children’s library and a bookshop.
Other programmes that take place regularly are monthly poetry and spoken word programmes by the Ehalakasa group and mini drama productions by Accra Theatre Workshop.
Nubuke Foundation also supports the communities around. They organise reading clinics for school children from the La-Bawaleshie area. I have seen art students from KNUST come there for resident programmes.
I have also seen the Tsiame weaving community benefited from a workshop initiative to enrich their creative and marketing skills.
The gallery and gift shop always has something one would want to own. The Foundation spaces are available for workshop pavilion, meeting room, mini-stage and grounds, galleries artistic and private events.
Since 2009 this attractive building in East Legon remains one of the most important art galleries in the city, often in collaboration with artists from other countries.
Now how could I tell you about Nubuke without mentioning Kofi the simple, friendly grey-haired young man you are most likely to run into. Everyone calls him Kofi but he is not just an area guy that he appears to be.
Mr. Kofi Setordji, is an internationally renowned sculptor and artist and has been practising for over 20 years. On the October 15, 2008, Kofi was the first African to receive the Rockefeller Foundation Creative Arts Fellowship.
He studied sculpture with famed Ghanaian artist Saka-Acquaye between 1984 and 1988. Kofi is one of Ghana’s most outstanding contemporary artists of his generation with an abundance of expressions as varied as his eclectic style, having worked literally in every conceivable medium, genre and style, from photography through painting.
As a sculptor his works have been exhibited in important museums and institutions in the U.S., South Africa, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark.
To show you one of Kofi Setordji’s works, consider that five metres-high sculpture opposite the national theatre (“Entre Amies”).
Kofi Setordji's work on the board of the Nubuke Foundation has helped this art house to promote Ghanaian art, culture and heritage both at home and abroad. Wanna stroll to Nubuke now?