FABG Foundation to Empower Artists at Art Unplugged Session in Bulawayo

The For A Black Girl (FABG) Foundation is set to ignite Bulawayo’s creative spirit with its upcoming Art Unplugged session, scheduled for August 26 at the Bulawayo Publicity Association. The event aims to provide a vibrant platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their talent while gaining essential entrepreneurial skills to build sustainable careers in the arts.

FABG, a local organisation dedicated to empowering women through business training and mental health support, is hosting the session in collaboration with Lefthand Animation and Abenhla Digital. The initiative marks a significant step toward merging creativity with business acumen, fostering growth within Zimbabwe’s cultural and economic landscape.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, FABG founder and director Nonsikelelo Moyo said the event’s primary goal is to offer a space where artists — whether well-known or just starting out — can gain exposure and share their creative journeys.

“The main purpose of the show is to give both recognised and unrecognised art brands the platform to display and talk about their work,” she said. “This initiative will give artists the opportunity to get their work out there for exposure and marketing purposes.”

Beyond the exhibitions, the event will include branding opportunities, business workshops, and presentations focused on helping artists navigate the commercial side of the creative industry.

“We will also have lessons on business in the arts sector, so this will help them in running and growing their businesses,” Moyo added.

Set to feature some of Zimbabwe’s most innovative creatives, Art Unplugged is being billed as a potential game-changer for Bulawayo’s arts scene. The session is expected to attract a diverse crowd of artists, entrepreneurs, and art lovers eager to support homegrown talent.

The initiative aligns with FABG’s broader vision of reducing unemployment among women in Zimbabwe and across Africa, promoting female entrepreneurship, and addressing mental health challenges through accessible support systems.

To achieve its mission, FABG offers training, mentorship, and structured programmes that enable young women to start their own businesses and achieve economic independence. The foundation was recently nominated for Best Women Empowerment Organisation at the 2024 Entrepreneurship & Business Awards, recognising its impactful work in the community.

In addition to hosting entrepreneurial events, FABG runs Tea & Talk, a monthly mental health programme that offers safe spaces for women to share, heal, and connect. The organisation also partners with other NGOs and youth-driven companies to tackle issues such as drug abuse, digital literacy, and gender equity.

Through Art Unplugged, the FABG Foundation continues its mission to uplift Zimbabwe’s creative sector, transforming passion into possibility and empowering artists to thrive both artistically and economically.