THE VALUE OF WORKSHOPS TO PRACTISING ARTISTS What are the benifits of taking part? Feeding the brainMy first experience of artists’ workshops was through the British Council and the Vincent Woropay Sculpture Workshops in Lusaka. I wasn’t a participant but they opened my eyes to the value of workshops for practising artists and gave me the friendship of Vincent Woropay. Through Mpapa Gallery I was able to connect with the Triangle International Artists’ Workshop and participated in the Mbile Workshops of 1993 and 1994. These workshops provided me with the most important and valuable opportunity to develop my practice that I have ever experienced. More than anything the ethos of the Triangle workshops was encouraging and supportive. I am forever grateful to Robert Loder, to all those who made the Mbile Workshops possible and to all the artists who took part. I must also thank the Canadians, Joselyn Banyard, Laurie Nevers and Scott Plear for inspiring me and my friends Patrick and Esnart Mweemba, Friday Tembo, Style Kunda, and Godfrey Setti for all they have taught me about the importance of making art. Since then I have been fortunate to have attended Issam Kourbaj’s experimental workshops and my friend, Julia Ball’s wonderful colour workshops. The energy that is generated and the learning that takes place when artists work alongside each other is unique.
