Explore Gambia arts & crafts

Do you have a creative inner self and would like the opportunity to express it under some expert tutelage?
If you have, then these tailor-made Gambia art weeks are going to be right up your street 😀

What will you see?

The Gambia has a rich and diverse arts & crafts culture ranging from wood carvings to tie n dye and painting.

It has several art galleries such as Lemonfish and of course the wide-open walls project which is an absolute must-see while here.

Your itinerary and what to expect!

The Gambia arts & crafts week itinerary!

• Day1 – Welcome to your “Gambia arts & crafts Week“
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  Arrive from the airport to Footsteps, settle in and grab your welcome drink, a freshly squeezed juice. Now to meet some of the artists you will be working with. They will talk through your activities for the week and personalise them for your enjoyment.
  
  
• Day2 – Workshop at Footsteps
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  Today is a multi-faceted busy day where we will be dipping in and out of the workshops. After breakfast, you will join Ousman weaver, Kemo tie n dye, Malang woodcarver and Bai silversmith. First Kemo will explain a little history behind tie n dye and show how it’s done and then it’s your turn to get your hands dirty!. Next up is Ousman who will explain how his loom works. Our goal with Ousman today is to create a canvas for your painting day later in the week. Weaving cotton is something that takes years to learn so if you don’t manage to make your canvas entirely yourself, Ousman will make it for you!. In between these workshops, Bai and Malang are on hand to showcase their skills, maybe you might like to commission some art from them and see it being made? The perfect gift or souvenir!
  
  
• Day3 – Inspiration at Lemonfish art & Gunjur village
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  After breakfast, join our vehicle for the short 30-minute drive to Lemonfish Art. Here you will see some of The Gambia’s finest art, which you can certainly purchase if you wish and we are sure you will definitely be inspired for your painting day later in the week. From Lemonfish we drive into Gunjur village where we will meet with Bai Sering, a local silversmith still crafting silver using the old ways.
  
  
• Day4 – Rest & relax
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  By now you may want to explore on your own so today is yours, go out, stay in, relax, it’s up to you. 
  
  
• Day5 –Painting on cotton canvas
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  Today we get back to being creative and painting on that cotton canvas you made earlier with Ousman, this one-off unique piece of art is yours to treasure always!
  
  
• Day6 – Open walls
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  Wide Open Walls is an intercultural project, aiming to raise awareness of the need for peace, understanding and respect. Allowing international creatives to experience Africa, and aiding the local community. It was founded by Lawrence Williams, one of the owners of the Makasutu project. Musa and Amadou from the cotton trail artists live in the village and will guide you around the urban art paintings. Proceeds from this section of your trip go directly to the village.
  
  
• Day7 – Rest & relax
  
  
• Day8 – Say your goodbyes and begin your journey home, we miss you already!

Prices & what’s included