Art galore as Akagera celebrates 80 years

Green Hills Academy hosted an art exhibition to celebrate 80 years of Akagera national park, last Friday. Akagera is one of the oldest parks in Africa and has a fascinating history of turbulent times and great achievements. The paintings were inspired by the wildlife found in Akagera National Park. Under the theme “80 Years of Conservation in Akagera National Park”, the event was organised by the management of the park in partnership with secondary schools in Kigali to showcase art inspired by the National Park. Guests were treated to inspiring art pieces by students from Green Hills Academy, International School of Kigali and École Belge de Kigali. A cross section of students who participated in Friday’s art exhibition at Green Hills Academy. The exhibition featured paintings, sculptures and installations all reflecting the students’ experiences during their trip to the park. Among the beautiful artworks included the reflection by Elizabeth Wong, Cecilia Tuzinde and Molly Ryan, which portrayed beauty and pollution. There was also a barbed wire enclosed origami, showing Akagera’s expanse with giraffes, zebras and vegetation origamis by Ines Makuza. Ines Makuza impressed guests with her beautiful origami creations. Gilles Grassioulet, the art teacher at Green Hills, said: “The students visited the Akagera and drew their sketches and took photos last September. Later they developed their ideas and came up with the pieces” “The art helps them to develop their confidence and creativity. It would be good to have a national competition because (seeing from this) students have a lot of ideas,” said Grassioulet. A colorful art piece on display. Jes Gruner, the park manager, said the objective of the exhibition was to give the young artists a chance to portray the park in their perspective, and encourage interaction. “The Akagera has been through a lot, but it’s now in a good state. It’s accessible and affordable and we would like more Rwandans to come see the animals and have an experience of the park,” Gruner said. In a draw to determine the winning piece, Reflection, emerged the winner and the lucky trio from International School of Kigali were awarded family passes for a full year, the runners up were awarded caps and tee-shirts. Beautiful oil paintings hanging on the wall. Among runners-up was a piece by Maureen Cyuzuzo portraying the park’s life, diversity and collages of Umwami Mutara III’s face (King Mutara III). The exhibition was supported by Akagera Management Company, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Inema Arts, Illume Creative Studios, the country’s tourism, conservation and artistic communities, not to forget the parents.

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Art galore as Akagera celebrates 80 years