Skip Navigation
UPDATED: 30 Sep 2009 GMT
Skip Left Section Navigation

Speeches

Close Window U.S. Embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer Karen Grissette (center) introducing artists at press conference held at the embassy on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. On her left is Zena Abdallah Walakai and right Mwandale.
U.S. Embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer Karen Grissette (center) introducing artists at press conference held at the embassy on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. On her left is Zena Abdallah Walakai and right Mwandale.
enlarge photo
U.S. Embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer Karen Grissette (center) introducing artists at press conference held at the embassy on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. On her left is Zena Abdallah Walakai and right Mwandale.
U.S. Embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer Karen Grissette (center) introducing artists at press conference held at the embassy on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. On her left is Zena Abdallah Walakai and right Mwandale.

U.S. – Tanzanian Women Artists Exchange

Venue: U.S. Embassy, Dar es Salaam

September 30, 2009

Remarks by Cultural Affairs Officer Karen Grissette

Good morning and welcome to the American Embassy!

This morning, I am pleased to announce another exchange visit to the United States for Tanzanians. In this fourth phase of the “Arts Exchanges on International Issues with Tanzania” program, the American people are sending 13 Tanzanian women artists to the U.S.

These woman artists from Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Tanga, Arusha, and Dodoma will participate in several art shows in the United States organized by a local arts consortium in Ohio. Their training will run from October 6 through November 3, 2009. This grant funded by the U.S. government has already brought two groups of American women artists to Tanzania to offer trainings here, and now is sending the second group of Tanzanians to visit the USA.

The Tanzanian artists will also participate in arts business development and women’s gender issues workshops, make connections with artists and arts organizations, and work on joint artwork with U.S. artists. The artists will visit different communities in the State of Ohio and in the State of Michigan.

Dar es Salaam fashion designer, Fatma Amor Hamad of Famour Designs, who is travelling with the 12 other artists will introduce her fashions at the ‘Magic of Tanzania’ fundraiser event in Ohio on October 12. She will also introduce her fashions and accessories in several other shows in the United States.

I would also like to introduce women artists today who have already returned from the U.S. We are so pleased to be able to provide training and support to these Tanzanian women, and we have already seen great dividends from their work.