Biz Lounge: What it takes to start and run an art gallery
Nim Njuguna poses for a photo at the Mbaruk Art House.
After spending over 40 years in the UK, Nim Njuguna and his wife decided to retire and return to Kenya where they established the Mbaruk Art House in the heart of Mbaruk.
Their decision was fuelled by years of collecting art and the realisation that many people in Mbaruk had never visited an art gallery.
"Most of the pieces in the gallery are from my time in the UK. When my wife and I moved back, we realised that many locals had never been to an art gallery. We wanted to change that and share the experience with the community," he explains.
A trained psychologist, Mr Njuguna saw the gallery as more than just an exhibition space. He wanted to provide a platform for local artists to express themselves, while challenging the perception that art is not a viable career.
He is passionate about expanding art awareness in Nakuru and believes in defining both cultural and contemporary art within a local context.
A sample of the art on display at the Mbaruk Art House.
His love of art began unexpectedly - after buying an Otis Redding record, The Dock of the Bay, he was captivated not only by the music but by the expressive artwork on the cover.
That moment sparked a lifelong passion for collecting art, many of which are now part of the gallery's collection.
To bring Mbaruk Art House to life, Njuguna and his wife invested Sh10 million. The space includes a gallery, library, training rooms, café and conference facilities.
A sample of the art on display at the Mbaruk Art House.
The gallery currently houses 102 pieces of art and actively works with local artists, providing them with a platform to earn from their work. It also nurtures young talent by training children in artistic skills from an early age.
As well as showcasing art, Mr Njuguna hopes to inspire young people to use art as a tool to address pressing issues such as climate change and food security.
In addition, a culture of reading is to be developed through the library with different categories of books.
Admission to the gallery is Sh200 for adults and Sh50 for children under 12 years. Looking ahead, Mr Njuguna plans to organise more exhibitions featuring both established and emerging artists from Nakuru.
Nim Njuguna poses for a photo at the Mbaruk Art House.
As a curator, he has honed his skills by studying art history, artists and different art movements. He encourages artists to explore different styles, from drawing and painting to design and sculpture.
"A curator must understand the needs of individual artists, collectors and buyers and guide them accordingly," he says.
However, Mr Njuguna, admits that curating a gallery is not without its challenges. Selecting relevant and contemporary artworks requires patience, multi-tasking and flexibility.
But, he remains committed to overcoming these hurdles to foster a thriving art culture in Mbaruk.