EFFORTS to continue developing domestic arts have secured a new push, considering welders from across Dar es Salaam are expected to attend a metal sculpting workshop, known as 'Cheche', from September 1-30.

The workshop, which aims at igniting transformation through metal and art, has been organized by a city-based contemporary art centre, Urithi Arts.

Urithi Arts's founder and director, Fred Halla, disclosed that the 'Cheche' workshop will focus on equipping the participating welders with metal sculpting skills that foster creative expressions.

The training, according to him, further targets to promote gender inclusivity and contribute to environmental sustainability through the use of recycled scrap metals.

Halla, a veteran visual artist, expressed his appreciation to a Dar es Salaam company for offering material support for the project.

He disclosed that the workshop is supported by the Swiss and Norwegian embassies in Tanzania and coordinated by Nafasi Art Space through the Feel Free Grant project.

Halla had previously mentioned 10 welders from across the city, five of whom are male and the rest are women, are slated to feature in the workshop at his centre's base at Mbezi Luis along Goba Road.

The 'Cheche' is the first major project supervised by Urithi Arts this year, as domestic visual art practitioners are stepping up efforts to successfully develop the profession.

Halla noted that the training will involve youthful welders aged 20-35, insisting that female welders will be prioritised.

The welders wishing to apply for the 'Cheche' project, Halla earlier stated, should be those based in Ubungo Municipality.

The Urithi Arts founder, moreover, said the prospective 'Cheche' project beneficiaries ought to clearly state their expectations once applying for the chance to attend the training.

The seasoned visual artist had, shortly after he was unveiled as one of Nafasi Art Space's Feel Free Grant beneficiaries a few months back, said 'Cheche' was the project that earned him the opportunity to access funding from the Feel Free Grant project.

Halla disclosed that there is a conspicuous absence of welders with a penchant for creating artworks made up of iron.

The visual artist noted that there are lots of welders in Tanzania, but they are largely concentrating on doing their basic duty.

Halla added that he is, for that matter, eager to equip the welders with knowledge that will help them fully exploit their creative aspect.

Such knowledge, Halla stated, will not only offer the welders freedom to come up with creative works but also operate more efficiently.

He was adamant that the 'Cheche' project would be carried out on the city's outskirts, with the participating welders also coming from the areas.