KAYONZA – The Rural Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Projects (PPMER) on Tuesday inaugurated a new art gallery in Kayonza district. The gallery is meant to boost the work of various artists in the region.

"The work done by various artists should not ideally be taken as a part time calling. It is very important to boost Rwandan art through such forms of support that we are unveiling,” Francine Tumushime, the PPMER Executive Secretary, said at the ceremony.

She added that PPMER’s aim is to sensitise the artists to improve their potential through giving them a more professional approach to their work.

Tumushime implored Rwandans to respect, and buy local art for the purposes of boosting the prospects of the art industry.

The launching was preceded by a prestigious art competition, which attracted over 50 artists from across the Eastern province, in which winners were awarded various cash prizes.

Veneranda Nyirankabije, the chairperson of Abakundamuco Cooperative based in Kirehe district, emerged as the best artist in the province. She walked away with a Rwf 100,000 cash award and a Gold medal.

Four other winners also received a similar cash award along with silver medals.

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