Work is going well, we already have two articles currently being edited as well as photos. So far contributors have been respectful of deadlines and been attending our meetings.
The key work right now is to look for funding for subsequent issues of the paper. We have managed to scrape together enough to publish our first issue but after that we need another source of funding. We are looking into some grants from embassies that have a keen interest in supporting the arts, but these grants can take some months to be approved. So we are have to be creative. We have a possible idea for raising some money but this idea is still in its early stages, stay tuned for more!
Despite these financial issues we are so heartened by the amount of support we are receiving from artists who feel this kind of newspaper is long overdue. For them and many others, we will continue the work.
We are also working on a website that will help promote The Art Pages, this is still very much under construction and we have to make allowances for our temperamental internet, but it is definitely getting there.
I was jetlagged and decidedly underwhelmed at finding myself back in Lusaka. Nevertheless I dragged myself into the gallery as I had promised. And this was a good thing.
We had a great deal to catch up on as I had been away for over two weeks, and I was full of stories of the art community in Asheville. I was especially eager to tell them about all the great free art and culture magazines I found in the area.
After much discussion we came to the conclusion that our blog, although nice in its way is simply not reaching local people. This is unsurprising considering how expensive the internet is here – no fibre optics and it is slow as can be. My good colleague Zenzele happened to have with him an art newspaper called 'Art Bakery' that he had picked up during a residency in Cameroon with Goddy Leye. It was a simple, 4 page publication in black and white.
With my inspiration from Asheville and Zenzele's from Cameroon, we realised we had a very special opportunity. And so our art paper idea blossomed.
To be continued...
"THINGZ and TIMEZ" is the theme for an exhibition by Lusaka based Artists from the 'Roots of Expressions' -(ROXS), an affiliate to the Zambia National Visual Arts Council. This show runs through from 25th to 29th June at the Alliance Francaise in Lusaka, Zambia. It is a reflection of how their work has changed over time, taking experimentation as a guide when approaching nature for inspiration. Roots of Expressions has shown its creations at the National Museum, the Henry Tayali Gallery, the Alliance Francaise in 2008 and some of its works can be seen at Iseni House in the Dutch church in Kabulonga.
ROXS objectives are to collaborate with other art organizations locally and internationally with the aim of stimulating the Development of Art.
Contacts can be made by e-mailing studios.rootsofexpression@gmail.com or visit roots of expression on facebook. 
This month of April marks the 42nd anniversary of the death of Dr. King and an organization in the US is commemorating his life and work by creating a memorial in the nation's capital. The Washington, DC, Martin Luther King, Jr., National Memorial will honor his life and contributions to the world through non violent social change.
Please check out the following link for more details - there are videos, photos, banners, and even a web toolbar that, when used, donates money to the creation of the memorial:
After many years of fund raising, the memorial is only $14 million away from its $120 million goal.
Venue: Lusaka National Museum (open Monday to Saturday)
Dates: March to May 2010
Admission fees apply
Walking through the new exhibition of the Lechwe Trust's collection is like walking through time.
Since 1986 the Lechwe Trust has been collecting artwork by Zambian-based artists in order to prevent paintings and sculptures of importance from being removed from the country. Through their work, they have put together an extremely impressive collection of local art as well as sponsoring several artists to go to University or art school. Now some of these artworks are on display at Lusaka National Museum.
The collection is truly comprehensive with works by Henry Tayali and Patrick Mumba, as well as works by more contemporary artists like Zenzele Chulu, Stary Mwaba and David Chirwa. The space has been transformed into a white, minimalist gallery which displays the works beautifully. It is clear that great care has been taken in the selection of these pieces and the body work shows successfully the breadth of subject matter and techniques used by artists in Zambia today.
