About Us
Our mission is to make Bantu arts recognizable, understandable, and alive through practice.
We help break the mysticism that often surrounds Bantu arts by offering clear cultural context and direct, hands-on experience. Through workshops, educator training, and creative programs, we keep the savoir-faire of our ancestors alive by passing it on to new generations and to those discovering it for the first time.
The techniques, symbols, and artistic knowledge left by our ancestors are meant to continue living through creation, teaching, and transmission
We support learning through practice and transmission, so Bantu artistic knowledge continues to live and evolve across generations.
Bantu artistic knowledge includes practices such as:
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textile design and pattern systems
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wood carving and sculpture
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stone carving and metal shaping
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symbolic drawing and surface decoration
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oral storytelling and rhythm
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culinary practices connected to land and memory
By working directly with these forms, we help children, educators, and communities understand what Bantu people arts are, how they function, and why they matter — today.
Our Founder
Marianne Gisèle Bema
Marianne Bema, founder and creative director of Bantu Arts Atelier NYC, is also known as Magni, an honorific name given in the Bamileke culture to a mother after the birth of twins. In Bamileke society, Magni holds a recognized place within the community and the royal court, symbolizing continuity, responsibility, and transmission.
An artist, author, and cultural educator, Marianne Bema has received recognition across multiple cities and has been featured nationally and internationally in major magazines, newspapers, and cultural platforms. Through Bantu Arts Atelier, she brings lived cultural knowledge, contemporary creativity, and structured educational practice together, creating spaces where Bantu arts are taught clearly, actively, and meaningfully.
FAQ
What is Bantu Arts Atelier?
Bantu Arts Atelier is a cultural and educational space where Bantu arts are explored through hands-on workshops, educator training, and creative programs for children, teachers, and community members.
Who are the workshops for?
Our workshops are designed for children, educators, families, schools, and community groups. Programs are adapted by age and context.
What kinds of activities do you offer?
Activities include beading, culinary experiences, painting, mask-making, games, hair and body wrap traditions, drum circles, storytelling, and creative exploration inspired by Bantu artistic practices.
Do participants need prior knowledge of Bantu culture or art?
No. All programs are designed to be accessible and understandable to people of all backgrounds.
Where do the workshops take place?
Workshops are offered at our location at One World Trade Center, as well as in schools, cultural institutions, and community spaces by request.