Popularly known by the nickname ‘Sampie’, upcoming local artist Werner Mouton is one of six budding Namibian artists selected to exhibit their work at an exhibition that started in Windhoek this week. Artists who previously exhibited at similar events, Martin Bosman, Darlene Jordaan, David Mushangandebvu and Elia Shiwoohamba, joined mouton. Newcomer Festus Kavari will join them.
The fifth event of this nature since the initiative branded Art 4 U was first conceptualized and launched by SMEs Compete in September 2006, it provides an opportunity for local artists to showcase and sell their work. It runs from Wednesday to Saturday over the lunch period and again every evening.

Lucia Hug and Roswitha Ntlhokwe of SMEs Compete sharing a joke with artist Werner Mouton.

SMEs Compete was motivated to launch and continues to routinely arrange Art 4 U exhibitions as a way of helping Namibian artists’ access markets. The firm holds the view that art makes an important but frequently unrecognized contribution towards the development of the country’s economy. So it naturally follows, the firm says that artists have an important entrepreneurial role to play in Namibia and consequently must be assisted to secure the true value for their work.
An approach routinely adopted by SMEs Compete when it comes to helping artists and entrepreneurs access markets is to form an alliance with established Namibian firms. This week’s Art 4 U exhibition will again take place at a leading local eatery, The Gourmet Restaurant.
Not only selected for its strategic location right in the heart of Windhoek’s central business district and because it is so known as one of Namibia’s finest restaurants, The Gourmet Restaurant has long been recognized for consistency and quality of its service and cuisine. So those who visit the exhibition can enjoy fine food at the same time.