Chale Wote Streets Arts Festival 2017

http://accradotaltradio.com/2017/04/chale-wote-2017-call-artists/

Chale Wote Streets Arts Festival is a unique artistic initiative that has been happening in Ghana, West Africa for the past six years. The Accra dotAltRadio who are the organizers of the annual event, surely hold the arts industry at heart. The festival brings into one accord, artists from various endeavors both on local and international scales and it has always been a great deal to represent your art. It is worth noting how many people troops the James Town streets and other places in the capital to participate in the festival every year. We welcome the 2017 edition as it commences from tomorrow, 14th August because it is a very much missed and well anticipated event. 

That time when the streets in Accra see the assembling of artists and art lovers from far and near with one common purpose, to sell the art is here once again. The fancy dress codes, the display of fireworks, exhibition of society-reflective artifacts and more will groove this year's edition like goose. 

The 2017 edition being the seventh in succession since it's commencement, is dubbed Wata Mata. Wata Mata is a jargon used in most countries within the West African sub region to mean Water Matters. According to Accra dotAltRadio the organizers of the event, "Wata Mata is the final installment in a CHALE WOTE trilogy that began with African Electronics, a blueprint for plugging into indigenous technologies to create the impossible and open up new spaces of social consciousness. Spirit Robot, a universal TRANSmitter of radical reconstruction, spread these electric pathways of knowledge into different directions, linking with global diasporas practicing and creating art about African liberation. More and more, we are compelled to turn to ourselves, to adapt and innovate our own systems to thrive. Wata Mata is where this work happens - in an endless space of form-making".

Chale Wrote - Wata Mata 2017 will last between 14th and 20th August, 2017 and will cover more streets in Accra than ever before in its history. Among the range of Artists called for included visual and installation artists, interventionists, musicians, makers, photographers, performance artists, filmmakers, thespians, poets, architects, fashion designers, graphic designers, scholars and more. It's going to be really interesting as Wata Mata 2017 gears the art-family to descend heavily on shaping the African history with the power of arts. 

Keep in touch for more updates as AI brings you what we can get.

Hope-Desrey - Visual Artist (Painter)

Short Profile
Hope-Desrey Okpanachi is an independent visual artist from Benue, Nigeria. She is a painter who pours her passion into the art till it fills to the brim. Desrey has been practicing the painting art for the past five years and have come to find refuge in it. 

Artist Statement
"Painting is my passion. To me, it's an avenue for me as an artist to empty myself of pain and of boredom. I intend using my passion to heal the world in a style that will leave prints nothing can erase". Hope-Desrey Okpanachi (2017)

Works
The works of Desrey are mostly portraits,  African culture and general real life scenes. Her strokes creates visual impressions that promise to last in feeble hearts and strengthen weak minds. She can therefore be referred to as a realist painter. Her works inspire life, synergy and hope for those who need one. Desrey tries to tell the story of the less privileged in a manner that inspires others. She is currently based in Nigeria taking domestic and international orders charging the most affordable prices. Below are some of her works and many others can be accessed from her social media timelines. 

Social Media
On Instagram, she is desrey46,  and on Facebook, she is Hope-Desrey. Her YouTube channel is Desrey Hope and she can be catched on SnapChat using the handle, Desrey Hope.

Sheperd - Musician (Dancehall Artist)

Short Profile
Samuel Takyi Selby is the official name of the Central Region based dancehall MC  known in showbiz as SHEPERD. He is an alumni and furthering student of the University of Education, Winneba. Sheperd is a perfect example of the artist with unstoppable energy as translated into his vibrant vibes. He is humble and very approachable especially to his fans. 

Artist Statement
"Music is a mission and not competition. The gift of lyrical prowess demands the artist to become a messenger and a healer. My mission is to use the art for the maximum good of the nation."
Samuel Takyi Selby (2017)

Works
The hardworking Sheperd have many records patrolling his camp. He moves his fans with his unique styles and catches their attentions with the concepts and themes he ride on. Among his works are;
'Party Time',  'Hustle Hard',  'I Need Money',  'Cruise It',  'Tighten Up',  'Bigger Than You',  'Wi Run Road',  'Wicked Love,  Whine Pon Mi',  'Rise' and many others on his playlist. He is the African MC with the taste and feel of the Caribbean.
Sheperd play shows and he can be booked through his social media

ww.reverbnation.com/inmsheperd/song/25476982-cruiz-it

Social Media
The following are his social media handles...
Facebook & Twitter: SheperdGh
Instagram: sheperd_i_earn_em

Dilly Rex - Visual Artist (Painter)

Short Profile
Dilly Rex is the popular name of Gedzia Ebenezer, an enthusiastic visual artist specialized in painting. Rex who hails from the Volta Region of Ghana is an alumni of Takoradi Polytechnic where he learned to master his craftiness at making visual compositions. He is currently an independent artist based in Ghana. 

Artist Statement
"I love art the whole of my life, I do since I was just a kid. Though I grew up in a family who never saw art as something important, my believe that art is a unique gift God has given me to survive and transfer messages to people through using visual impressions. I personally love landscapes, seascapes, abstracts, children, african scenes, portraits in that order". Gedzia Ebenezer (2017). 

Works
Dilly Rex' works portray themes as
abstracts, realism, portraits and expressionism paintings. He is an expressionism painter. "I practically draws my inspirations from everything, including activities and people on the african continent". Rex explains. His works include regular scenes in the real world, natural scapes and few abstract strokes. His works can be seen on his timelines on the cyberspace. Below are some of his works. 

Social Media
Dilly Rex can be connected to on Facebook and Instagram using the handles provided below.
Facebook: Dilly Rex and
Instagram: @dillyrexdaricle

Derrick - Poet (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile 

Addai Derrick Jnr, popularly known as  Dee or Derrick is a contemporary psalmist, a fervent worshipper, and a Spoken word artist. He is currently studying BA in Business Administration at Ghana Baptist University. He's extremely enthusiastic and is motivated by the lives of the likes of Dillion Chase, David Bowden, Preston Perry among others. He is the artist borne with unconditional love for his art and so he spits his  psyche in a way that will take your breath away. "I am a Christian who believes 'Christianity Is Not a Religion', but rather a Relationship with God through Jesus'. Writes Derrick. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

"I believe in earning a worship minded heart and getting  convicted with the word and making wishful decision so you don't get corrupted with the world and the word will make you valuable
As a Christian, you must have a character that is always predictable
Having the mind state of believer" (2017)

WORKS
Derrick's works basically reflects and speaks the mind of Jesus to Gods people.
His  works are principally the impressions of the contemporary and she is enlivened by his quick encompassing and in addition his own understanding. He  is resolved to utilize his aesthetic capacity to mend others where they are broken and heal those who believe it. Among his literal works are; 'Burden Heart', 'Heaven 'Spoke', 'I_fear_less(fearless)', 'Who is this Jesus?', 'Helelujah  ft Kofi Wise' and many more to come. 

SOICAL MEDIA
Link Derrick up on his open space using the following handles.
FB: @derrickAddaijnr
IG :@derks_j
Twitter :@derks_J

Treva Reigns - Poet (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile

Xola Edmund Ametsikor, known in the cycles of art as Treva_Reigns is a spoken word artist, actor, rapper and visual artist. He is young but very vibrant with his passion; art. He is currently a student reading Business at the Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School, Legon. "I am inspired by God, music and the environment" said Treva Reigns.

Artist Statement
"I am treva, a co-ruler in this poetic era...I am me and the me part of me is poetry" Cola Edmund Ametsikor (2017).

Works
According to Treva he writes about things that life bring his way. He mostly write about abstract ideas; "things that will bring my audience to enlightenment. Among his works are 'Poetic Justice', 'Poetry in Motion', 'Mama Was Right' and The Sacrifice among others. Most of his works can be found on his social media platforms. 

Social Media
Treva Reigns can be connected to on Instagram and Twitter using the following profile handles.
Instagram : @treva_reigns
Twitter : Treva Reigns

Majiro GH - Music (Rapper)

Artist Profile
MajiroGH is officially known as Benjamin Fenyi and hails from the Central Region of Ghana. He is currently a student in the University of Education, Winneba. He is a humble and energetic young man promising to take the world by surprise.

Artist Statement
"I have loved music since I was just a child. I believe strongly that music is food for the soul and so have the power to resurrect  even the dead. I try to use my music to empower the less privileged to have believe in themselves despite the discouragements. I believe in myself and I believe others too. Benjamin Fenyi-MajiroGH (2017).

Works
Majiro sings and raps both in English and the local Twi and Ga expressing himself and entertaining others with his gift. His main genre is Hip Hop but he also does Hip Life music which is the mainstream song raining in Ghana at the moment. He performs stages in places like Tema where he is currently based and also travels around the country performing his music. Among his songs are Wu Nyame Sum Mponi, Get There, Back Off and his newest single On It which has a dope video soon to be released.

Social Media
MajiroGH is active on several social media platforms including; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram among others. His handle for all the above platforms is @MajiroGH.

Xorlarlie - Poetess (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile
I welcome you to meet Nora Xorlarlie Anyidoho, a multi-gifted sister from Ghana. She is a spoken word artist who is deadly in love with art in it complete sense. She is currently a student in the University of Ghana pursuing a BSc. in Administration. She is also the radio host of the popular OPEN AIR THEATRE SHOW; an art show that is aired on radio Univers which is based inside University of Ghana with the frequency of 105.7FM. He belief lies in the power of arts, the power of words. She writes... "Poetry is beauty, and an avenue to express one's thoughts without the fear of being thought weird. Art is Us".

Artist Statement
"My inspiration first of all, comes from God. Secondly, from the need to speak, the need to write. Speak about a canker, a personal bother, speak on anything at all. Thirdly, inspiration may come from other artwork, from nature, from people, conversations, little things". Nora Xorlarlie Anyidoho (2017).

Works
Xorlarlie literally writes on anything and everything at anytime. No particular themes dominates her works. She love music. She seldom writes, but she manages to keep some works on record. Her favorite genre of poetry is performance based, in other words, spoken word poetry. "It allows the writer to share her/his poem not only with words but in rhythm with the audibles flowing soothing the mind and reaching the heart" she said. To Xorlarlie, it must be written just the way it comes, I consider that a great art code...

Social Media
She is not very much a fan of social media because she loves her privacy. But then, she can be connected to on Instagram with the handle below.
IG: nye_xorlarlie

WordRite - Poet (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile
Prince Joey Korgan is a poet and spoken word artist known on stage as Wordrite...
He is based in Accra, East Legon. He won  the 2015 Teen Slam in Ghana. He performed on a number of stages and been on Radio Universe a couple of times and a few other radio stations...
He also recently shot a video with Akambo and it's doing well out there...
"I seek to help push spoken word (poetry) to the level every artist is hoping it gets to" said Wordrite. 

Artist statement:
"I won't stop writing until u stop writing my wrongs" Prince Joey Korgan (2017).

Works
Wordrite is inspired by the environment in general, his life experiences and the almighty love. This make him write mostly centering on themes like society, love and the self within. Among his works are 'Placebo', 'Indestructible', 'ME' (My Experience), 'Broken', 'True Love Is' and Give Me a Chance' among others.
Wordrite has performed on a number stages including Ehalakasa, a platform designed for young poet to be nurtured. 

Social Media
Wordrite can be connected to on a number of social media platforms using the handles below.
Fb- prince Joey korgan
Ig. Pjk wordrite

Josh Infiniti - Poet (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile

Joshua Anoumou Agbenu, known in the cycles of art as Josh Infiniti, is a poet, dramatist, spoken word artiste, rapper, actor and an aspiring novelist.
He is an old student of Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Legon.
He read General Arts in school and was the playwright for the Legon Presec drama club. He won awards for the best literature student whiles in school.
He helped his alma mater to come out as the champions of the Teen Slam Poetry Competition held at the National Theatre in the 2016 year. He has performed at Ehalakasa,Teen Slam, Festival of Talents, Prof Lade Worsonu's Afro Arts and a few others.
His inspiration is God and his environment. Josh Infiniti admires Rhyme Sonny, Shirley Frimpong -Manso and Uncle Ebo Whyte among others in the spokeb word world.

Artist Statement
"A dunce always falls out of the esteem of advanced minds" Joshua A.  Anagbenu (2017)

Works
Taking inspiration from God and his immediate environment, Josh Infiniti has a composed a number of poems and performed spoken word poetry on several stages. Some of his works can be accessed by staying in touch with him on his social media platforms.

Social Media
Josh Infiniti can be linked up on Facebook and Instagram using the handle provided below.
Instagram: josh.infiniti
Facebook : Josh Infiniti

Wordsmith - Writer (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile
Chaz Boat also known as Wordsmith is officially called Charles Boateng Acheampong Jr.  He is a finishing student reading Journalism at the African University College of Communications (Adabraka). He is a very prolific poet and is well known on AUCC campus.  He has written a lot of poems since the inception of his interest in building literary career. 

Artist Statement
"I speak to tighten loose ends like a spanner...
And hit the nail right on the head with a hammer... " Charles Boateng Acheapong Jr. (2017).

Works
According to Bla Chaz, he started writing at age 11, nurturing profound interest in fiction. He discovered his poetic prowess after gaining admission to Adisadel College in the Central region, where he joined the Editorial Board and the Writers, Debators and Drama Club (WDDC).
He started performing poetry during the maiden edition of the JHR Christmas concert/Mr and Miss Human Rights Contest in 2013 and has since been performing spoken word poetry. Among the events he has performed are but not only; UNILIME Foundation's Art Festival, ISA Cultural Night, WDS Book Launch, AUCC SRC Week Celebrations, and GUPS Congress. Some of the works by Wordsmith can be found on his personal blog using the URL provided here. www.chazboat.wordpress.com

Social Media
You can get in touch with the Wordsmith on a number of social media platforms including using;
Facebook: Charles Boateng Acheampong Jnr
Instagram: @chas.boat
Twitter: @charlesboat95
YouTube: Charles Boateng Acheampong

Lansah Lawrence - Poet (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile
Lansah Lawrence is a poet and a spoken word artist. He is a realist and believe in inspiring inspiration both to himself and others he is able to reach. "The essence emanates from fulfilled purpose" Lansah writes. He is currently a student of the University of Ghana, reading for his first degree in Kiswahili, Religions, and Political Science. He is calm and but keen to learning new things everyday. 

Artist Statement

"If you thought your success lied within the four walls of a lecture room, prison cells and bedrooms also boast of these walls. So go beyond the built blocks that lay to sleep and imprison your uniqueness" Lansah Lawrence (2017)

Works
Aside studying, Lansah also blogs and he is the author of www.lansah.wordpress.com where all his writings which are mostly poems can be accessed. Among his spoken word pieces are; "What You Should Know", "You're In The University So What ?" "Who Is At Fault ?" and many more. He believe strongly in empowering others and hence his favorite quote of "...the essence is to inspire others to greatness".

Social Media

Lansah Lawrence can be connected to on the following platforms usings his account handles as presented below.

Fb.com/lansalawrence
IG: lansahlawrence
Twitter: Harruna Lansah.

Philipa - Poetess (Spoken Word Artist)

Short Profile
Philipa Fosu Gyamfi is the official name of Philips, the spoken word queen. She is currently studying for her BSc. in Business Administration in the University of Ghana, Legon. Philipa is very energetic and seems so motivated that she spits her mind in a way that will blow your mind. She is a vibrant member of Throne Room Perspective  (TRP), a spoken word group composed of young and poised youths blazing the mic to inspire.
"I am a Christian and I love poetry" Says Philipa

Artist statement
"I do spoken word because it's a form of art that allows me think out loud.
It's like therapy for me ...because som e of the things I write about are personal. ..and writing them down helps me deal with those things.
Sometimes it's like keeping a coded diary...
I do it also to entertain. ...I think my pieces usually have a lot of rhymes in them. I also try to do word play and a little alliteration here and there . At the same time I try to always send a message across anytime I write a piece". Philipa Fosu Gyamfi (2017)

Works
Philipa's works are mainly the reflections of the contemporary and she is inspired by her immediate surrounding as well as her personal experience. She is determined to use her artistic ability to heal others and break odd bonds.
Her works can be accessed by following her on Facebook.

Social Media
Philipa can be connected to on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the following profile handles.
@https://www.facebook.com/philipa.gyamfi.52

IG @least_ov
Twitter @Philipagyamfi

"To me spoken word is 
Healing
Entertainment
Mind boggling
And it lives in us"

#Philipa
#Ehalakasa

BrownBeatzGh - Music Producer (Sound Engineer)

Artist Profile
BrownBeatzGh is officially known as Alex Merlin Brown hailing from the Central Region of Ghana but born in Milwaukee, North Carolina. He  is currently the chief sound engineer of INM Records based in Winneba in the Central Region. He is also a vocalist with soothing voice like a diva. He is motivated by the things around him and tries to reflect his thoughts into his works. 

Artist Statement
"I believe in music as food to the soul. Rhythm is my inspiration and I see it in the little things around me. The power of talent lies in the effect it has on the society and using mine to be the difference we seek. Alex Merlin Brown - BrownBeatzGH (2017).

Works
BrownBeatzGh has a strong taste for music and beats. He is mainly interested in urban genres like Hip Hop even though he builds mega local based beats that keep his artists swaying. He's been doing music more than half a decade and is become very good at it as he follows the top notches in the field. Among some of the works he has produced include...BUSS MA MIND-Sheperd Gh_(Produced By Brown Beatz)
Back To Africa Riddim_(Prod By Brown Beatz)
He has a new single 'One Chance' which is taking funs hey and another one, 'Gyal Em Bad' on which he features SheperdGh. Though he is currently based in Winneba, BrownBeatzGh can deliver rhythms to you everywhere you are on the globe at the prices you can always afford.
Download example of BrownBeatzGh and soak for yourself. Here. 

Social Media
On Facebook, BrownBeatzGh is @BrownBeatzGh
On Twitter, he is @BrownBeatzGh
You can catch him of Instagram @ Brown_Beatz_Gh

Anly Jacob - Visual Artist (Graphic Designer)

Short Profile

Anly is an independent artist and a graphic designer, who specialize in graphic design and illustration. Born and raised in United States, Virginia and graduated with an art degree from George Mason University. Her side hobbies include story writing, reading, watching movies, and photography.

Artist Statement
I’m influenced by what I see around me as well as the artists I’ve come to admire. Story telling and imagination also play a key role in my works, giving each piece their own personality. Some art pieces bring out the emotional and psychological aspects of the human mind such as depression, anxiety, shyness, and rehabilitation.

Works
Anly's works are mostly abstract in form and she is ready to take offers from everywhere in the world.

Social Media

Facebook:
Instagram:
Behance:
Society6:
Redbubble:

JmKad - Visual Artist (Cinematographer)

Short Profile
JmKad as he is popularly known, hails from the Volta Region of Ghana. He is in his late 20s and has a humble personality. He is an alumnus of the University of Education, Winneba where he studied Graphic Design. He love graphics but just won't let go of motion on his cards and hence his profound interest in cinematography. He draws his inspirations from the little things he come into contact with.

Artist Statement
I love graphics but I definitely I love motion graphics the more. Before I direct  a scene, I conceptualize it in a sequence on my timeline. Jmkad (2017)

Works
The works of JmKad mainly include graphic design, video/film editing, cartoonist and many more in the same light which makes him a cinematographer. He has edited real big time works and worked with top names in the media. He is also a TV/Radio/Voice Over personality who is good at the things he does. JmKad is currently based in Ghana and is willing to serve international customers with his spiral talent. His works can easily be identified with his 'JmKad' signature with multiple effects in different works.

Links to some of the works here.

Social Media
JmKad can be found on all the popular social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on the popular online personal TV, YouTube. His handle on IG, is @jkaddicts on Facebook, he is @JmKad and JmKad on YouTube.

Kingsley Sedem Dzade - Visual Artist (Painter)

Short Profile

Kingsley is a young and vibrant visual artist specialized in painting who hails from the Volta Region of Ghana in West Africa. He is a strong believer and a calm lover who will rather channel his energy into visualizing things he see and transforming them into memories that will last forever. He is an alumnus of Takoradi Polytechnic and currently based in Accra.

Artist Statement;

"I am motivated to paint-out the taint and the pain that are bedeviling the less privileged in our societies. My ability to paint is my power and I pray to use it to its fullest and for the maximum good of humanity. I have been painting since I was just a kid and believe I will be painting until I am truly done. I paint and will always paint to reveal what is real". Dzade Sedem Kingsley (2017)

Works

His works tend to be clear reflection of the society in which he find himself. His works feature and portray the social lives of the less privileged in society. He also mirror perseverance and advocate social equity in many of his artistic creations. Mostly, his paintings are figures(portraits), still life and landscape scenes among others. Many are those who profoundly admire his works which he  believe comes from a source he either won't disclose or simply don't know, a phenomenon which is actually the case of real talents. So if you ask him, he will be quick enough to tell you the inspiration comes from the gift which is actually a package he brought along from the uncreated world into the one in which we are now. Currently, he is based in Accra where he takes orders and delivers across the globe on time. 

 

See More Here

https://m.facebook.com/dzade.kingsley/albums/284036895003144/

Social Media

He is on quiet a number of social media platforms where he interacts with the world. His timelines on all the platforms he is found can be interpreted as a gallery of world class by all standard paintings
On Instagram, he is @kingsedemart
On Facebook, he is @dzade.kingsley

Arts Insights - Introduction

This media is constructively targeting arts including music, drama, poetry, story telling, painting, fashion, beads art, radio and television, graphics/effects, photography, videography, dancing and choreography among others.

Artist profiles, artist statements, artists messages in nutshells, artists current status and artists plan towards the next levels among others will be captured here on the Arts Insight Blog for disseminating purposes.

More importantly, a lot of insights will be made into the works of the various artists as we travel across time and space to bring you must read posts in the world of arts.

Also, we shall occasionally feature in posts from art festivals and art exhibitions and special write ups about specific topics concerning art of any kind across the continents.

Finally, the experts who so wish shall be asked to share with those of us who want to grow, the pros and cons about what is it that they do better than their counterparts that translates their stories to success.

#ArtsInsights