About EVAN
A community network
for Ethiopian visual art.
What is EVAN?
The Ethiopian Visual Artists Network (EVAN) is a community-driven platform dedicated to connecting Ethiopian visual artists, both within the country and across the global diaspora. EVAN is not an academic institution or a commercial gallery; it is a living network that centers on the artists themselves, their stories, and their work.
By building a comprehensive digital archive and directory, EVAN ensures that Ethiopian visual art gains the global visibility it deserves. From the sacred traditions of Orthodox iconography to the avant-garde expressions of contemporary mixed media, this platform documents the full spectrum of Ethiopian artistic practice.
Vision
A world where Ethiopian visual art is recognized, celebrated, and accessible globally.
We envision a future where every Ethiopian visual artist, regardless of geography, background, or formal training, has a platform to share their work, connect with peers, and contribute to the global art discourse.
Mission
To build the most comprehensive
network of Ethiopian visual artists
worldwide.
Through digital archiving, community building, and international collaboration, EVAN documents, promotes, and connects Ethiopian visual artists, preserving the nation's artistic heritage while nurturing its creative future.
History & Origin
EVAN was born from a simple but powerful observation: Ethiopian visual artists, despite their extraordinary talent and rich cultural heritage, lacked a unified platform to connect with each other and the world. Founded by a group of artists and educators with deep roots in the Alle School of Fine Arts at Addis Ababa University, the network began as a grassroots effort to document and connect.
The Alle School of Fine Arts, Ethiopia's premier institution for visual arts education, has produced generations of artists who have shaped the nation's creative landscape. EVAN builds on this legacy, extending the school's community beyond its walls and across borders, welcoming self-taught artists, iconographers, and creatives from every tradition.
Team / Leadership
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Dr. Tesfaye Urgessa
Founding Director
Renowned painter and professor of fine arts with over two decades of experience in Ethiopian contemporary art.
Partners & Collaborators
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU
Academic Partner
Alle School of Fine Arts / AAU