CreateAfrica launches Art Retreats in Zanzibar

By Rebecca Whitlocke

The busy capital city of London and the VIP hospitality sector in France and Monaco may seem worlds apart from Zanzibar, and you’d be right.  Zanzibar, the palm-dotted archipelago off Tanzania, is where Doctor Livingstone presumed that he was ‘in paradise’ and its powdery white sand beaches, crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, history and culture is what swayed CreateAfrica Founder Beth Curtis to stay.

Beth first visited Zanzibar as a ‘solo traveller’ for a three-week vacation and fell in love with the island.  She founded CreateAfrica Travel Consultancy and has spent the last three years researching Zanzibar, Kenya, Ethiopia, and mainland Tanzania. Now, partnering with her husband Dullah Mwalami, their unique holidays, itineraries and retreats aim to support local communities and preserve nature – which helps bring you closer to both.

Increasingly in recent years, global jetsetters are looking to escape their busy lives in hectic cities and the spice islands of Zanzibar have just the tonic.   CreateAfrica has launched their ART RETREAT ZANZIBAR – an eleven-night experience in Zanzibar that includes seven days of professional art tuition with an emphasis on African portraiture, sketching and painting on location, Tingatinga technique workshops, island excursions, art materials, all meals and stunning beach accommodation included.

Learn new techniques with local, specialist art teachers

Tinga Tinga is a unique and visually stunning painting style that was developed in the second half of the 20th century in Tanzania by Edward Said Tingatinga. It has become the most widely represented art in Eastern Africa, with beautifully decorative and extremely colourful images of African icons like birds, wild animals, and landscapes. Tinga Tinga explores the relationship between nature and people. And it was the inspiration for the animated British children’s television series Tinga Tinga Tales. The drawings themselves lend to the caricature genre, using humour and sarcasm.

Hyperrealist biro art are incredibly detailed pen drawings that are often mistaken for photographs. This unique style of art has been described as both hyperrealism and afro-realism. Ballpoint pens are used to create hyperrealistic-style portraits, capturing the intricate details of the human face and form. The portraits are strikingly realistic, capturing every nuance of the subjects’ faces and expressions – a celebration of the beauty and diversity of humanity.

CreateAfrica :  Relax & Reflect with an Art Retreat

Whether you’re an experienced artist or trying for the first time, CreateAfrica will take care of all the logistics while you focus on expressing yourself.  You’ll experience a stunning destination you never thought you’d end up in, with the added element of pre-arranged luxury beach accommodation, meals, and a more intimate, local perspective on how to spend your time.

CreateAfrica retreats are a great way to get together, enhance or learn new skills, and enjoy amazing experiences. Each retreat is limited to a small group – there are seven air-conditioned suites which can accommodate up to 19 people. All skill levels are welcome, beginners included, so you can share with a friend or bring a partner – even if they’re not participating in the painting.

If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa

John Hemingway

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

CreateAfrica believe that when your trip benefits others, you gain too. For every retreat that takes place, they donate art supplies to a local school. Eventually, they hope to build the first CreateAfrica Art Centre, providing a space for local children and adults to explore their creativity while participating in art workshops and classes.

CREATEAFRICA ART RETREAT ZANZIBAR DATES:

26 September 2024

06 December 2024

For private or corporate groups CreateAfrica can brand your retreat and tailor the package to your exact needs.  CreateAfrica also have an Adventure Retreat happening in Ethiopia in October and a full program of Retreats will be released for 2025.

 

Booking & enquiries: Whatsapp +33607994338

Email: beth.curtis@live.com to register your interest and receive the full itinerary.

Website: www.createafricatravel.com

 

Photo credits: CreateAfrica Limited