On October 4, PAO met with Ms. Shama Jaffer and Mr. Al-karim Panjwani, embassy partners in the Visual Arts Initiative program held in July 2011 sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to discuss their upcoming Art Biennale program in November. Ms. Jaffer presented the U.S. Embassy with one of her paintings and art catalogues of her Art Biennale program. Following their meeting, Ms. Banks introduced them to Movie Afternoon Program guests who viewed the 1995 film "My Family" to promote Hispanic Heritage History Month, and they held a discussion on Tanzania's own rich cultural diversity as presented in the film and the importance of promoting the voices of artists through the arts.
Ms. Jaffer also discussed her aspirations to empower Tanzanian artists through art and entrepreneurship programs such as the Visual Arts Initiative. "I believe that it is important for all Tanzanian artists, and very especially women, to find their voices through the arts. Our vision is to ensure every woman feels strengthened to stand on her own, speak with her own voice, enhance her education, and thereby contribute to our nation's development. Artists are already poised to speak for many, and to do so they need greater support from other Tanzanians," she said. In her remarks, Ms. Banks recognized Ms. Jaffer as a Tanzanian patriot and role model for other Tanzanian artists whom she continues to impact and inspire to promote their voices through art.
Ms. Jaffer has previously organized two major Art Exhibitions in Tanzania that promoted the works of over 100 Artists. Ms Jaffer was recently elected to be one of the leaders of the Dar es Salaam Artist Network - a network that was formed after a Visual Arts Training that gave training to over 200 Tanzanian local artists and which was carried out in July, 2011.
Caption: Ms. Shama Jaffer (left), presents PAO Dana Banks one of her paintings at the U.S. Embassy on October 4, 2011.
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