DAR ES SALAAM visual artist Fred Hala has asked welders across the country to make full use of their creative part so they can leave a lasting impact in their profession.

Hala issued the appeal at an occasion for the unveiling of selected grantees of the fourth edition of an initiative, termed 'Feel Free Incubation Grant', in the city on Wednesday.

The initiative, coordinated by Tanzania's prominent contemporary arts centre, Nafasi Art Space, aims to secure funds for backing domestic artists to implement their creative projects that will benefit them and their audiences.

Hala, the founder of the Urithi Arts institution, which dwells on promoting public art and visual artworks, pointed out that there are many welders who, unfortunately, restrict their potential to merely engage in building construction.

The artist, who is also one of the grantees, noted the welders' efforts are, in most cases, not properly acknowledged considering their works end up in people's homes and institutions' structures.

According to the artist, there is a conspicuous absence of artists with the know-how to create metal sculptures in the country.

Hala, for that matter, felt he should get the welders to make full use of their creative instincts, which will, in turn, ensure they get the best out of their knowledge.

Hala's project, known as Cheche, gears towards boosting transformation through metal and art.

The artist revealed: "It is a transformative initiative aimed at equipping welders with artistic skills to create metal sculptures."

Despite the abundance of creative welders in Tanzania, Hala noted, the field of metal sculpture remains largely unexplored.

The experienced, reputed artist pointed out that his project seeks to fill the gap by providing welders with fundamental sculpture training, fostering creativity, and expanding their career opportunities beyond traditional welding.

The main concept of the project, Hala added, is merging technical welding expertise with artistic expressions, enabling participants to create metal sculptures that reflect Tanzanian culture, identity and contemporary themes.

The workshop will serve as a platform for welders to develop artistic confidence, think beyond functional welding and contribute to the public art landscape.

The artist revealed he will execute his project in the city, with the the beneficiaries turning out to be the welders found on the city outskirts.

Hala added he will have 10 welders, five females and as many males, take part in the initial phase of the project.

"There is a lot that one can take pride in when he or she engages in art. Once a welder creates an artwork and puts it in any of the open spaces, he or she will certainly be appreciative of his/her efforts, as opposed to the all-familiar tasks of constructing either doors or windows," the artist noted.

An artwork, the artist said, always projects uniqueness. Therefore, welders will at all times take pride in their creativity, as opposed to their traditional work, which has several other practitioners in their field featuring in it.

He said he had embarked on research and found out some welders are eager to exploit their creativity, adding his project would be progressive.

Hala noted there are many areas, which include filling stations, with beautiful spaces, but they do not have attractive metal sculptures; for that matter, plenty of opportunities will come up for welders with the knowledge.

He was adamant that welders should not hesitate to feature in the initiative because there is a need for creative artworks made up of metals.

Hala stated interested welders can find him at either Nafasi Art Space, Mikocheni, or at his institution's location at Kituo cha Muhimbili, Mbezi Luis.

Felix Mochira, this season's Feel Free Grant coordinator, revealed the season has seen the project attract 10 artists, while last year's initiative had eight.

Mochira pointed out that the grant funding is designed to encourage artists, culture practitioners, organizations and institutions from all artistic disciplines, who love to create and connect with art without inhibiting restrictions on either themes or topics driven by external influences.

The beneficiaries of the 2025 Feel Free Incubation Grant and their respective projects are J&LK Investment (Mzizini), Nipael Foundation (People With Disabilities' empowerment through arts), Aurelio Mofuga (Sculptures of light), Omary Baajun (Art of Siti), and Elisante Mola (Kulikoni).

Fred Hala (Cheche), Nathan Mpangala (Ufunguo), Nickson Kimaro (Kanga narratives), Masoud Ibrahim (Vinyago vibes), and Amina Lukanza (Huo), are the other beneficiaries.

Nafasi Art Space, which takes charge of the Feel Free Grant, receives core funding support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

The contemporary arts centre has 10 members of arts and culture practice, organizations, and institutions getting 270m/- to implement their creative projects.

The coordinator disclosed the increase in the grantees this year seeks to have the institution open a bigger scope for artists to exhibit their creativity and innovation.