Micro Galleries, a global arts initiative that reclaims abandoned spaces and reactivates them as tiny galleries that are free and accessible to the local community, is arriving in Nepal in November. Twenty talented Nepalis have been selected to exhibit their works alongside international artists in the two-week art fest slated to take place in Patan.

Earlier this year, Micro Galleries announced that it was partnering with Kaalo.101, a local arts initiative in the Capital.

Known for its micro interventions across scraps of forgotten land and ignored walls to unexpected potholes, the fest aims to feature works that go against the grain and blur the line between street art and fine art.

Talking about the quality of artist submissions, artistic director of Micro Galleries, Kat Roma Greer, said, “The quality and diversity of the artists who have responded to this call out has been amazing. We are extremely excited by the calibre of artists throughout Nepal, as well as their passion to discuss empowerment and generate positive change for local communities. We cannot wait for this creative force to be presented to the world.”

Shree Noor Lal Rajbhandari, a digital artist who focuses his work on visual aesthetics and compositions to create various socio-political narratives, is one of the selected local artists. Rajbhandari said this was an opportunity to collaborate with “all these amazing creative individuals” and he is looking forward to sharing his ideas and projecting them to the society.

Artist Michelle Lama, who’ll be accompanying other 19 Nepali artists, said, she believes that individuals are constantly evolving when it comes to themes of human curiosity and emotions. She will be experimenting with a variety of artistic mediums ranging from projections and sounds to paintings and paper-cuts.

The fest has previously been held in cities such as Hong Kong, Cape Town, Bali and Jakarta.

The fest will kick off on November 23 and run through December 7.