MASK Awards 2013

MASK Awards 2014's theme ‘What makes you proud about Kenya?’ coincided with the Kenyan General Elections and the Kenya's 50th anniversary of Independence  

Enrties received: more than 1,000 artworks 

Number of schools participated: 95 schools and 15 universities

Countries participated: Kenya 

Number of prizes awarded: 5

Award Ceremony was attended by 400 people; exhibitions were seen by more than 90,000 people

Prizes totalling 300,000 Ksh (£2,500) are supported by Rivers Foundation (UK). Our special thanks to our judges.

ART - winners in all ages & schools

Prize-giving ceremony: Nairobi National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya, 11 June 2013

Exhibition: Nairobi National Museum, 11 June-10 July 2013

The exhibition was officially opened by the British High Commissioner, Dr Chris Turner. Prizes were awarded by Alan Rivers, Rivers Foundation Founder. The speakers also were: Mr Lagat, Director of the Nairobi National Museum; Andrew Mwanthi, Director of Education at the Nairobi City County on behalf of the Governor of Nairobi Dr Evans Kidero; Alla Tkachuk, MASK Awards Founder; Kimanzi Muthengi, Director of the UNICEF Talent Academies programme, and Wycliffe Muga, The Weekend Star Editor. 

The prize-giving ceremony coincided with an exhibition of more than 600 original artworks that were entered to the MASK Awards 2013 by participants across Kenya. The exhibition was curated by MASK' s Watson Kanyi, Raymond Mutisya and Valery Macaranga. It was visited by more that 4,000 people. 

“Art is when you involve your mind to create something to be seen by others.” Zebra Kamal, 14

12 September-7 October 2013 

The exhibition was opened by the renowned contemporary artist Michael Craig-Martin and Saatchi Gallery Education Director Francesca Wilson. The exhibition was seen by 87,000 people.

"This is important work for the future of East African art.  It attracted very young people.  What struck me from the submissions is that all 3 prize-winners are about place, all of them locate something.  Its very telling that this is the most vivid thing for them, and therefore their art is very vivid for us. I congratulate the MASK PRIZE organisers." Michael Craig-Martin

"The UK young people who come to the Gallery's workshops say that the Kenyan young people's artwork is amazing. They are influenced by these artworks!  It was great working with MASK."  Francesca Wilson