Project 1:

The ART27 - VISUAL ARTS PROMOTION, founded in December 2024 with Studio & Atelier in Sanyang, The Gambia.

Mission:   ART27 – Visual Arts Promotion is a NON-PROFIT initiative dedicated to supporting and promoting Gambian and African visual artists, bringing together a group of artists who usually work under their own management, while fostering collaboration, education, and mutual support.

We believe in the importance of education through:

  • Workshops

  • Mentorship and supervision

  • Guidance for talented young Gambian artists

Activities & Strategies:   ART27 builds both an online and offline presence through...

  • Social media and artist websites, local media & press

  • Art competitions and the ART27 - ARTIST RESIDENCY

  • Collaborations with artists, galleries, collectors and professionals, 

  • Increasing public interest and appreciation of visual arts

  • Organize workshops, educational supervision, and guidance for talented young Gambian artists.

Areas of Support:   ART27’s activities cover a wide range of needs for painters and sculptors, including:

  • Purchasing bulk materials in Europe and Asia

  • Sharing equipment, space, and resources

  • Organizing exhibitions and workshops

  • Donor acquisition, sponsorships, and private support

  • Engaging local media (print, web, radio, television)

  • Collaborations and invitations with international galleries

  • Promoting ideologies of respect, tolerance, and shared aesthetics

 

***  VISUAL ARTS & ARTISTS NEED TO BE

SUPPORTED, RESPECTED, AND SEEN  ***

Project 2:

Establishing our own Independent Modern Contemporary Art Gallery in The Gambia in 2026/2027...

 

#National News  /  The Point Newspaper

ART27 founder unveils plan for permanent art gallery in The Gambia by 2026

Jan 8, 2026, 1:00 PM | Article By: Ismaila Sonko

In a major boost to The Gambia’s growing creative sector, Ferenc Donderer, founder of ART27 – Visual Arts Promotion, has announced plans to establish a permanent art gallery in the country by 2026, a move set to provide a long-overdue dedicated space for Gambian and African visual artists to exhibit their work. The proposed gallery aims to become a central hub for contemporary visual arts, cultural exchange, and artistic collaboration, offering artists a professional platform to gain visibility, engage audiences, and develop their careers.

Since its establishment in December 2024, ART27 has steadily carved a niche within the local arts landscape through a series of temporary exhibitions held at prominent venues, including the African  Art Gallery at the  Senegambia Beach Hotel, the “Art in the Castle” exhibition, Alliance Française Banjul, as well as selected guest houses and hotels. These initiatives have brought visual  art closer to the public while creating opportunities for artists to showcase their creativity beyond conventional spaces.

“Visual arts and artists need to be supported, respected, and seen,” Mr. Donderer said, stressing that art is far more than a leisure activity. He described visual art as a vital human expression that promotes mental well-being, strengthens social bonds, nurtures empathy, and stimulates community engagement, while also challenging social norms and inspiring change.

Operating as a non-profit initiative, ART27 has been covering essential costs such as materials, transportation, and exhibition expenses to ease the financial burden on artists and ensure their work reaches diverse audiences. The organisation is also working closely with the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NAC), which has expressed support for strengthening the fine arts sector and encouraging greater collaboration among artists.

As preparations for the permanent gallery continue, ART27 is expanding its presence both online and offline, while appealing to sponsors, donors, and the wider public for support. Donderer said the vision is to create a clean, modern exhibition space open to all forms of visual art and cultural events, free from restrictive memberships or affiliations.

“Art has to be seen, and artists must be supported,” he said.

Once established, the gallery is expected to play a transformative role in The Gambia’s cultural ecosystem, serving as a meeting point for exhibitions, creative dialogue, and artistic innovation, while elevating the profile of Gambian and African artists on the national and international stage.

“If the vision of establishing The Gambia’s first contemporary art gallery inspires you, I warmly invite you to become an essential part of this groundbreaking journey.”

Please feel free to contact me by email or direct call, thanks...

Project 3:

THE "BIG & BOLD 2027/2028 TOURING EXHIBITION"

Resuming the acclaimed ART27-Residency Program, this ambitious touring exhibition will showcase 5–6 artists presenting approximately 20 large-scale paintings. Each work will adhere to the striking format of 100cm × 140cm, embodying the bold spirit of the ART27 Residency Program.

The exhibition will travel to six different locations, moving monthly from October 2027 to March 2028. Every stop will highlight the collective energy of Gambian and international artists, offering audiences a powerful encounter with contemporary art that is both monumental in scale and rich in vision.