Exploring the art scene

 Today I spent the morning browsing a few of the closer galleries and more interesting souvenir shops.

My first stop was Galérie Adam, but it was closed despite its posted hours. Perhaps I will try again another day as they have some interesting pieces.

Practically next door, I stepped into Galérie Teranga's Avenue Mohamed V location. They had a wide variety of paintings, all framed - some hung on the walls, others were stacked for you to flip through. They also had a shelf running the length of the shop that featured carvings and brass sculptures. I was quite taken with the painting at the top left in the photo below but have no idea how I would get it back to Canada. I am tempted to go back for the delightful bronze dancer!

 

Just around the corner was the tiny Galérie Abdoulaye Diop which is absolutely jam packed with masks and sculptures, with wares spilling out onto the street. Nothing is priced, so ask about the items that catch your eye. I was offered a price of 35,000 CFA for one of their wooden masks ($86.47 CAD). I didn't leave with anything but know what's on offer should I choose to return.

 


Around the corner is another jam-packed spot for treasure hunters - Cocktail du Sénégal. Here you can find prepared foods, fabrics and a variety of crafted and souvenir items.

 

I was torn between two beaded elephants so continued my stroll while I considered the options. A two minute walk away was Galére Hoop, but as a woman was busily mopping the floor I assumed it was closed and I carried on to a local café - Halo - to enjoy one of their deliciously fruity "thé glacé maison".

Next up, I tried to find OH Gallery but I had no luck. I'll need to try again another day as I went up and down a few streets from a complicated corner and never spotted it. I did meet a delightful little boy who tried to take my hand and kept asking me for something in French or Wolof. I didn't understand and he reached up and patted the pocket with my phone. He must have spotted me checking it for directions and maybe wanted his photo taken - or he knew that was where my money would also be and was hoping for a handout. He was a beautiful little guy, but I wasn't falling for his charm! I wished him a good day and strode off on my way confidently down the street (and then checked for directions again when he was out of sight.) This time an older gentleman approached to ask if I needed directions - or sunglasses, or a bracelet. He offered me the bracelet "as a gift" and followed up by asking for money for it. Again, I declined, gave a friendly "bon journée" and set off down the street.

At this point I wanted to get to Librarie 4 Vents to get a few more art supplies - graphite sticks, pencil sharpener and a good old HB pencil - to supplement what I'd picked up the other day. As I got close a man called out a greeting - and who should it be but my old friend Samba who'd "helped" me find Minibap on an earlier outing! He enquired after my family and wished me a good day as he carried on down the street.

After making my purchases, I decided which beaded elephant I was going to purchase, so I quickly checked my phone for directions and made my way back to Cocktail du Senegal where I added this little fellow to my collection.


From here I was fairly confident that I could find my way home without a map and decided to give it a try. Taking a few corners, I worked my way in what I hoped was the correct direction and eventually spotted a busy road at the end of the street. It was Rue Jules Ferry - I was going the right way! I tagged along with a local to cross the busy road, then turned left to head home, stopping at one more gallery - another Teranga - along the way.

Back on the street I knew best, I stopped at a bakery to pick up some dessert, and at the high-end grocer to browse what they had in stock. (Turns out they have cauliflower - both white and orange! - I would have grabbed one if we weren't travelling this weekend.)

And at last I was home, where I used my new pencil to do the first of the 21 Day Drawing Challenge from my home library's Linked In Learning. Here's my rather poor attempt at a cat:


Now it is time to rest and aim for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow I am planning to take the ferry to Île de Gorée for a day's exploration













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