25-year-old Julius Zigama is a poet, banker, visual artist and the brains behind Gama Arts Rwanda (Great Arts Makes All), an organisation based in Rwanda that focuses on contributing to education through taking art lessons to less privileged children, which unlocks children’s potential to think, create and unlock individual power of mind through workshops, school art competitions, and art exhibitions, and face painting.

The multi talented marketer had a chat with Sunday Magazine’s Sharon Kantengwa about his work and aspirations.

Where did your love for art come from?

I hold a Bachelors degree in Art in education at Makerere University and after I came to Rwanda, I realised that art is still down in all aspects especially visual painting for example with the great art talents we have in Rwanda, we have only one art school, which is Nyundo School of Arts, moreover, at an advanced secondary level, which leads to premature artists being produced. They also do not have people to inspire them which means they will not be professional.

What impact do you want to have on kids and the youth?

At Gama Arts, we believe that everything is made of art, including our bodies. We are therefore trying to educate the kids through art in underprivileged schools just like in other good schools because it is only in art where one can express their individuality. We always look at things differently and this is what kids in good schools learn which is different from under privileged schools.

How did you realise your passion for poetry and writing?

The passion for writing comes from taking photos because I always find a story in every picture and I always post them on our website because I know some of our members have stories to tell. I usually do poetry Kigali vibrates and at spoken word Rwanda and my poetry is centred on life and politics.

How do you juggle art with your marketing job?

I am currently pursuing a marketing course, but it is applicable in our daily lives and is also a form of art. We are teaching other young artists to sell themselves and their products because marketing is not different from art.

What plans do you have for this organisation?

I want to gather as many young talented artists as possible to enlighten their vision and develop them in that aspect. Being a non profit organisation, I’m looking at setting up a body where people can build up their passion in art. I also want to advocate for more art courses in the Rwandan Education curriculum, to have art classes in all schools countrywide.

What hurdles does your vision come with?

The idea of art is still low in the minds of Rwandans. They don’t think that you can learn through colours or painting. They don’t see why they should have it in schools.