The Maun Main Kgotla is set to receive new murals as Visual Epiphany 2.0 returns this year, with organisers seeking to use public art to celebrate Botswana’s culture while creating opportunities for local artists to learn from international practitioners.
Spearheaded by Mural Supply Co. and co-founded by artist and creative director Rati Motseta, the expanded residency and festival will see several public spaces around Maun transformed through large-scale murals, mosaic projects and community workshops.
Motseta, the lead artist and CEO of Mural Supply Co., said confirmed mural sites include the silos and an old administration block and a guardhouse at the Maun Main Kgotla, the Life Centre tower, portals, , with additional locations still being secured.
The Kgotla silos, which were among the landmark sites featured during the inaugural edition, will receive further artistic treatment as organisers continue to build on the project’s contribution to Maun’s public spaces.
Rather than imposing a single theme on the artists, Motseta said participants would be given creative freedom while working from briefs inspired by Botswana.
“We give artists creative freedom,” he said, explaining that visiting artists will also be taken on excursions to deepen their understanding of Botswana’s history, culture, people, flora and fauna.
The approach is intended to ensure that the murals represent different interpretations of Botswana while reflecting the artists’ individual styles and experiences.
Among the international artists participating are South African graffiti and visual artist Murray Cowan, who works under the name Strange Harvest. The Durban based artist is known for street art, large-scale public murals and graphic illustration, having transformed public and commercial walls across Southern Africa into colourful visual landmarks.
Also joining the programme is Justin Muzacz, known professionally as Jmuzzacz, an Austin, Texas-based muralist, mosaic artist and arts educator. His work focuses on large-scale public murals, intricate tile mosaics and collaborative community art.
Floyd Mendoza from the United States will bring his experience in visual art and muralism, producing public works that combine contemporary urban aesthetics with storytelling and cross-cultural community engagement.
American contemporary artist Taylor Barnes, known as Taylord, works across fine art, multimedia installations and narrative visual art. Her work explores themes including identity, history and social memory through mixed media, textiles and physical space.
Pono Pinto, another US-based participant, specialises in urban visual art, graphic design and street art. He is recognised for bold graphic line work and illustrations and has participated in cross-cultural public art exchanges and residency programmes.
Motseta said the presence of the international artists is intended to create a skills exchange rather than simply showcase foreign talent.
Local artists will have opportunities to shadow the visiting artists during mural production and learn practical techniques including surface preparation, paint mixing, colour blending and large-scale mural execution.
He said the broader ambition is to establish connections that can eventually create opportunities for Botswana’s artists to work with international partner organisations.
“We’re not just saying America. It’s a whole cultural and creative exchange,” Motseta said.
The programme will also include masterclasses and open mosaic workshops for members of the community. These activities will culminate in a large-scale community mosaic project.
According to Motseta, the ultimate objective is to strengthen Botswana’s creative ecosystem by giving artists access to quality instruction, new techniques and professional networks.
“The takeaway is that we’re still trying to improve the whole ecosystem in our own way,” he said.
The 2026 programme builds on the inaugural Visual Epiphany residency, which transformed public spaces including the Life Centre and Maun Main Kgotla through murals while providing training for emerging artists.
Motseta said the continued development of the project reflects an effort to create a sustainable pipeline for artists rather than limiting opportunities to a once-a-year festival.
For Maun, the new murals are expected to add fresh visual stories to public spaces while providing residents and visitors with another way of experiencing the town’s culture and identity.
Visual Epiphany 2.0 is being delivered with support from Mural Supply Co., Love Botswana Outreach Mission, The Life Centre, Nhabe Museum, Okavango Arts Exchange, Color A Mexico, ATX Mosaic Workshop, Natural Selections and the National Arts Council of Botswana.
Currently some local schools are receiving lessons from the Art residency.
