Exhibition on the history of Jamestown

The new ArchiAfrika Design + Architecture Gallery housed in the historic Tarquah House(1915) opens with an exhibition on the history of Jamestown tomorrow, February 26.

The exhibition by architect, historian and former Mayor of Accra Nat Nuno Amarteifio, is the latest in ArchiAfrika’s contributions to the archiving and development of the Old City.

ArchiAfrika is a collective of creatives committed to broadening the development discourse to include ‘Growth Underpinned by Creativity.

In a chat with Showbiz, ArchiAfrika Chairman, Joe Osae-Addo said Tarquah House, a former department store built next to the site of the Old Kingsway Building in 1915 has in recent years housed families and businesses.

“Now it will become the base of our next phase in Jamestown, which will see us plug into the ‘every day’ with initiatives that contribute to local development.

“Friday’s event is a soft opening of sorts, to introduce ArchiAfrika and friends to our new community and family in our new home.

“It also coincides with the renowned Berlage Institute Students’ visit that we are hosting. And the exhibition is the highlight of the event.

He said the 7pm event is an evening of connecting, networking and history.

Throwing light on the activities of ArchiAfrika in Jamestown, Mr Osae-Addo said “in 2015, ArchiAfrika hosted a number of initiatives in Jamestown with the intention of promoting the idea of integration over erasure as an approach to development.

He said in the months since, ArchiAfrika has continued to engage with the Jamestown community, with a film night at Ussher Fort and other initiatives. And we now seek to create a permanent base in the community with whom we are working” he added.