March 2011
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Fanizani Akuda. On February 5, 2011 the world lost a giant of a man.
Over the last decade I have had the honor of developing a friendship with one of the last remaining first generation master sculptors of Zimbabwe.  Those who conducted business with him and were lucky enough to befriend him will find this all too familiar: Upon meeting Fanizani at his home in Chitzungwiza you are welcomed into the living room.  Covering the walls are photos, newspaper and magazine articles cover his career of over four decades! You need not be in a hurry because Fanizani wanted to know how you were doing, how your trip to Zimbabwe was and how things were in America since his last trip there. Only after fellowshipping, a meal and a laugh or two did we talk business. 
I will truly miss my friend. His contribution to us all through his art will live on forever. Rest in peace as you go with the ancestors.

August 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

African Influences in Brazil on Exhibit at Zimstone Gallery

May 2010

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Washington Informer Newspaper Features Article on the "OYA" Series with comments from Zimstone Gallery Owner

Link to Washington Informer Article entitled, "Quilting Outside the Box"

April 2010

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Zimstone Gallery is Pleased to Present the "OYA" Series

Seeing Black.com author Esther Iverem reveals yet another layer as she premiers the opening of her visual arts exhibit the "OYA" series. Esther Iverem is an acclaimed writer, art critic, and poet. Zimstone Gallery celebrated the opening of this new and exciting exhibit with a Reception in her honor.

February 2010

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Zimstone Gallery Owner Presents Video Interviews with Zimbabwean Master Sculptors

During a recent visit to Chitzungwiza, Zimbabwe, Zimstone Gallery owner Jeff Brown had the privilege of facilitating interviews of Zimbabwe’s greatest living stone carvers. Posted below are video excerpts of interviews with Sylvester Mubayi, Edward Chiwawa, Fanizani Akuda, Richard Mupumha, and the mother of all women sculptors Locardia Ndandarika.  Please enjoy this bit of history compliments of Zimstone Gallery. To see full video interviews, please stop by the Gallery.

September 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 D.C. Art Gallery Owner Extends Support for TransAfrica

The owner of Zimstone Gallery – which combines the sale of art with developmental assistance in Southern Africa, has extended a relationship of support for TransAfrica, America’s leading advocate of African humanitarian issues for more than 30 years.

Zimstone Gallery owner Jeff Brown announced the contribution of a prized piece of Shona sculpture for TransAfrica’s art collection.  Zimstone has previously contributed art pieces for auctions to raise money for TransAfrica, and Mr. Brown said the latest donation was his continuing recognition for the organization’s great work.

“It has been an absolute honor to be associated with an organization so firmly committed to assisting the forgotten, the oppressed, those with the least,” said Mr. Brown.  “I’ve listened as Chairman Danny Glover speaks to the need to remain vigilant in the fight to maintain human dignity,”

For more than thirty years, TransAfrica has helped lead the way in drawing attention to human rights issues of Africans and those in the Diaspora.  They were at the forefront in rallying opposition to South African apartheid, and in calling attention to the unfair U.S. immigration practice regarding Haitian immigrants. 

TransAfrica Executive Director Nicole Lee is scheduled to accept the sculpture donation at the Zimstone Gallery on Thursday, September 24th.

September 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

D.C. Art Dealers Pledge to Help Southern Africa AIDS Orphans

For AIDS orphans in Southern Africa, financial crises are nothing new.  Just scraping together a meal has been a major mission for many for decades now.  But two art dealers in Washington, D.C., are moving to lend a helping hand.

Jeff Brown of Zimstone Gallery and Margo Bansda of Smart Chaos Designs will for the first time, host an AFRICAN ART AUCTION featuring the works of master sculptors from Zimbabwe; South African painter Neil Joffe and unique handcrafted home décor art from some of South Africa’s exclusive art projects. This occasion will promote the amazing talents of Southern African Artists, and to increase awareness of the fragility of life in Southern Africa.

Part of the auction proceeds will go towards the building of a school for aids orphans run by the Destiny’s Children’s Center in Lusaka, Zambia, an organization started with the help of Margo Bansda in 2002.

The auction will include the works of  Zimbabwe’s most recognized sculptors namely,  First Generation Master Sculptor Edward Chiwawa, his son Reason Chiwawa and highly regarded Richard Mupumha.

It will also feature Neil Joffe’s unique South African contemporary style paintings and contemporary hand painted   Zulu wall hangings, and multi-colored hand painted ceramics and wood/copper art décor from Cape Town and Limpopo.  We will also feature a rare painting by the famous Zambian artist, Stephen Kapata.

This collaborative effort by Joffe, Bansda and Gallery owner, Jeff Brown, is to promote Southern African art, and, but above all, to raise funds to help pay for the building of a school for these aids orphan children in Lusaka Zambia. 

A percentage of proceeds of the auction and sales will go to Destiny’s Children’s Center in Lusaka, Zambia, an organization started with the help of Margo Bansda in 2002, with the objective of improving the lives of aids orphan children and the women of Matero, a compound in Lusaka, Zambia. 

May 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Triumph Over Human Tragedy, The Art of the Oppressed Goes on Display

The work of women sculptors in Zimbabwe goes on display in Hyattsville, Maryland at the Zimstone Gallery. The Gallery is located at 4814 Rhode Island Avenue in the Hyattsville Arts District.  The exhibit opens Saturday April 11th between 3-7 and runs through May 30th.

For the women of Zimbabwe life is fraught with horrific conditions no human should ever have to endure.  In a society where many women hold the few jobs, and care for an extended family often ravished by disease, finding time for anything else is next to impossible. They live without electricity for most of the day and anxiously wait with a bucket for the one hour the water is running.  Zimbabweans endure hardships most would find unimaginable.  The town of Chitzungwiza is where many of the world’s most talented Shona sculptors reside and like many others the city is struggling. The sole gas station is run mainly by a generator. The stores, if they are open at all, go unstocked.  The tourists don’t come and without their support, many have left the profession. Without the money generated from the sale of their work they cannot feed their families. Yet despite the many hardships present Locardia Ndandarika and her contemporaries still produce sculptures which touch the soul! Fueled by wood burning fires, their sculptures are heated and polished to a brilliant luster. Despite living under the clouds of oppression and inhumane poverty, she tutors young sculptors and proudly offers warm tea to all callers.  Inspired by nature, the love of family, the proud history of her ancestors and most of all hope, her smile radiates as a beacon of better days ahead!

Rarely has an opportunity been seen in the U.S. to help these women help themselves.  Gallery owner Jeff Brown has recently returned from Zimbabwe and states, “It has been an overwhelming experience to find myself among people who go in large part without the basic necessities of life, yet persevere because they have no choice. I am honored to act as a conduit and present several sculptures by those recognized as the world’s best.” 

December 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zimstone Gallery Holds Auction to Raise Money for South African Orphanage

Zimstone Gallery auctioned off a prized piece of Shona sculpture and donated the proceeds to Zosana Bani Orphanage in Walkersville, South Africa. It is our desire to continue to support Zosana and its efforts to support the children who, left homeless by AIDS, would otherwise find themselves on the street. 

November 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zimstone Gallery Donates to Zosana Bani Orphanage in South Africa

Zimstone Gallery owner Jeff Brown traveled to Zimbabwe and South Africa on a buying trip. Prior to leaving, several Gallery customers expressed a desire to establish a relationship with an organization in Southern Africa committed to the welfare of children. While the majority of Zimstone’s business is in Zimbabwe, we realize the love of and needs of children knows no boundaries.

Zosana Bani is a pre-school and orphanage located in Walkersville, South Africa not far from Soweto.   Some sixty plus children are taught and cared for by one full-time teacher and an assistant in a one room school that doubles as an orphanage. No child is turned away. We were able to deliver a case of much needed writing accessories, toys and clothing.

November 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zimstone Gallery Donates Sculpting Tools

Zimstone Gallery remains committed to assisting the community of artists we serve in any way we can. Here Master Sculptor Sylvester Mubayi receives a much coveted sculpting hammer from gallery owner Jeff Brown.