The Beginning

Starting the Mahaba Center for Art has been a dream that is a long time coming. Many years ago as I was moving myself and my two (then) small children to Sweden to begin my PhD studies in international law, I commented to a close friend that my true dream was to move back to Tanzania and open a gallery for fine art to showcase the amazing talent that the region has produced but as yet, the global market place had not tapped. My friend slipped a small card in my bag as she sent me on my way. When I opened it in Sweden, she had reminded me to keep this dream of mine close and to not give up on it, it’s time would come.

Many years later, the time has finally come. There are some moments when I am still unsure….so much work to be done, so much risk to take my savings and my teen children and bring them back to Tanzania in the hope that a small art gallery will be successful. But, something tells me that I must do this, must at least try this.

This gallery is not only to showcase amazing art to the world, but to highlight the beauty of my children’s country of origin. I hope they can be proud of what we are building here and enjoy it for years to come. That will make it all worthwhile!