Le Village des Arts

You don’t have to speak to French to guess what goes on at Le Village des Arts. Since 1998, an eclectic mix of mostly Senegalese artists have lived, worked and thrived within its painted walls. Workshops overflow with sculptures, ironwork, ceramics and paintbrushes. Courtyards and cobbled streets have been transformed into al fresco galleries. Some artists are internationally known, and others aren’t even known in their own neighbourhood. At its core, however, is community. A safe space for creative minds to practise their art, share tips and tools and, by mutual association, attract visitors, raise their profiles and make a living. The village is open to the public for most of the day and the vast majority of the 52 resident artists are friendly, open and happy to welcome you into their workshop for a chat. Known as a ‘window display of Senegalese culture’, the Village also boasts a large central gallery at its heart, which hosts continuous exhibitions throughout the year.