New Artist

We have beautiful and vibrant new artwork on display in the office for the next few months. Here is a bit more about the artist, John Wolo.

“Achipota Wolo is usually known as John. He was born and raised in a small village called Ndanda in the Mtwara in the Southern region of Tanzania. He began learning painting as a child and has been passionate about it ever since.

When he was a teenager, his parents died and he was forced to leave school and travel to the city of Dar es Salaam to find work and survive.

He found work as an apprentice at two local art galleries in Bagamoyo, which is an arts filled town not far from the city of Dar es Salaam. Through his hard work at the art galleries and through a sponsor, he attended Bagamoyo College of Arts and then received a full scholarship to Bagamoyo Sculpture School. He became a visual arts, dancing and drumming instructor at Uhuru Youth Center for African Arts and then in 2010 moved to Dar es Salaam and started his own center and shop called the Peaceful African Arts.

John is currently waiting to get his paperwork and medical clearance to immigrate to the United States so that he can be reunited with his fiancé and child and start his new life in America. He hopes that he can use his talents and training in the arts to help support his family in America and is excited for the opportunities that America brings.

John specializes in painting Tinga Tinga designs, which is a detailed style of painting that is highly recognized in East Africa. John is an exceptional drummer, dancer, painter, sculptor, carver, jewelry maker and musician and hopes to share his art with the world.

To learn more about the availability of John’s artwork or to commission John for a custom painting or mural:
Elisha Kottler at: ehkottler@gmail.com or annegk@gmail.com ”