Over the weekend of Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November 2020, Sekondi-Takoradi experienced the first of its kind Street Art Festival known as WONNGYE STREET ART.
Even though there have been couple of arts celebration and exhibition in the past, WONNGYE STREET ART was uniquely organized as it captured most of the elements of arts with much focus on the hip-hop culture such as Rap, DJ, Graffiti, MC, Beatboxing and other forms of arts. The event captured Fashion, Models, Sculpturing, Painting, Music Performance, Multimedia (Photography, Videography and Video Directing), Dancing, Skating etc. which drew lots of attention from the general public to attend in all the three days that the event took place at the ultra-modern shopping centre in the western region, thus Takoradi Mall Limited.
At the end of the three day weekend event, what really drew a lot of attention and it is still the talk of the city is the biggest graffiti mural in Takoradi currently which has the portrait of the two biggest artistes currently from Sekondi-Takoradi, Kofi Kinaata and Pappy Kojo.
The mural which was wonderfully curated by two internationally known graffiti artists, that is Nana Yaw Ananse (The Skygod) and Ian Kwakye (Ghana Graffiti Association President) has drawn a lot of attention since Sunday when the program ended at the mall and it has become a side attraction for tourists and shoppers alike who visit the Takoradi Mall.
Almost everyone who visit the place which is located at the south side of the car park of the mall take a picture to share on social media or with friends.
With over fifteen thousand foot counts of people coming to the mall over the weekend to shop or have fun were all thrilled by the colourful ambience of the event with models doing runway with designs from the various fashion stores at the mall such as UK Brands, Ceda De-Ventures, Easy Prime Gh Ltd, Nakus Fashion and Stafelzi Crochet.
A collaboration with Takoradi Technical University’s Faculty of Applied Arts and Technology (FAAT) contributed to the success of the event as it brought together some of the students, lecturers and National Service Personnel to also exhibit their skills and arts.
The Head of Department of FAAT Professor Richard Acquaye mobilized the representatives of the school. The Head of Multimedia at FAAT Mr. Prosper Duke also came with enough gadgets to set up the multimedia studio session to display their projects and did photoshoot samples. A lecturer of arts Mr Peter Amoako also handled the painting and sculpturing aspect of the exhibition.
Another side attraction which drew lots of attention was the fact that two music videos were shot on the Saturday 21st November. A gospel musician known as J-Josh had his music video shot as well as The Township an award winning Hip-Hop artiste had a well-known music video director and editor, Ralph Menz to shoot his music video title “4Get The Money” which got premiered on Sunday at the multimedia set up of the event.
More of the stage performances by the artistes were done on Sunday with performers like Kobby Major, J. Sam, Spooky The Maniac, Bobo Dada Bee, Slim Drumz, Kid Makan, Bra Purple, Cee Levelz etc. all had some great performances.
Dancers and Dance groups like Tetris Dance Family, Afro-Kerlite, Chocolate Cliff, Tawa Mayne, Cuta Babe, Ray Aseda etc. thrilled the audience to some amazing dance moves whilst Skateboarders, Bicycle and Motor Riders all lighted up the event grounds with memorable displays.
The fashion session led by a renowned model called Ruth Gifty Amoah also gave an outstanding runways through the hallways inside the Takoradi Mall. MCs like Mr Cupid, Yao Mawutor Fianu, Kwado Freestyle, Elikem, and Chelsy Sey hosted the various aspects of the event as well as DJs like DJ Cuebeatz, Dj Paa Kwesi, DJ Emmelove and Target DJ got the audience excited with great music mixes.
In conclusion WONNGYE STREET ART which was made possible by Takoradi Mall Limited and powered by Spiritual Android, a team consisting of Kwame Legend, Nii, Ralph Menz, Derek, Ruth, Eli, Quophi Twum and Tailor Rahim was successful and had great attendance by all walks of people of arts and lovers of arts.
WONNGYE STREET ART is definitely here to stay and it is the official Oil City’s Urban Arts Festival.