In September, the Kansas City Public Library, in association with Powell Gardens, will offer a unique look into the ascension of Zimbabwe as a major influence in international art.

On Thursday, September 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., Roy Guthrie, the owner of Chapungu Sculpture Park, talks about how the troubled country of Zimbabwe, once considered artistically barren, became a destination for international contemporary art collectors.

Guthrie pioneered the promotion of Zimbabwe stone sculpture and has built the most important permanent collection of this work in existence. From its humble beginnings as a small gallery in the capital city of Harare to the 20-acre sculpture park on the outskirts of the aforementioned city, Chapungu has now expanded to North America after opening a new park in Colorado in 2007.

Currently, more than 50 hand-carved stone sculptures are on exhibit at Powell Gardens. The artwork features titles such as The Birth, Sharing the Wisdom, Chameleon Man, Beer for the Wedding, and Earth Spirit.