Manufacture des Arts Décoratifs de Thiès | Thies

Manufacture des Arts Décoratifs de Thiès - View Large Image

Information
Landmark: Manufacture des Arts Décoratifs de Thiès
City: Thies
Country: Senegal
Continent: Africa

Manufacture des Arts Décoratifs de Thiès, Thies, Senegal, Africa

The Manufacture des Arts Décoratifs de Thiès (MSAD) is a national center for tapestry and visual arts situated in the northern district of Thiès, Senegal. It functions as the country’s primary institution for the production of hand-woven monumental tapestries based on the works of Senegalese artists.

Visual Characteristics

The facility is housed in a series of functionalist, low-rise masonry buildings characterized by high ceilings and large windows designed to maximize natural light for weavers. The interior workspace contains massive vertical wooden looms, some spanning several meters in width. The aesthetic is industrial yet artisanal, featuring neutral-toned walls that contrast with the saturated primary colors of the wool and silk spools used in production.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located on Avenue Lamine Guèye, approximately 0.8km south of the Promenade des Thiessois. It is easily accessible via the N2 highway which bisects the city. Visitors arriving from Dakar can utilize the A1 toll road and N2, while local access is provided by shared taxis (clandos) dropping off at the MSAD entrance. Limited street parking is available along the perimeter wall.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Founded in 1966 by Senegal’s first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, the institution was modeled after the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris. It was established to foster a distinct "School of Dakar" aesthetic, translating contemporary African paintings into woven textiles to promote Senegalese culture internationally.

Key Highlights & Activities

Guided technical tours are available, allowing observation of the weaving process on high-warp looms. The onsite gallery displays finished tapestries for exhibition and sale. Specialized workshops occasionally demonstrate the dyeing process where raw wool is treated with specific pigments to match original artworks.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a dedicated exhibition showroom and a small administrative reception area. Restrooms are available for visitors within the main building. Shade is provided by the internal architecture and a courtyard area. 4G cellular coverage is reliable across the premises. There are no on-site food vendors, but several restaurants are located within a 5-minute walk on Avenue Lamine Guèye.

Best Time to Visit

The workshops are most active during standard business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. Morning visits (around 10:00) offer the best lighting for viewing the looms in operation. The facility is closed on weekends and national holidays.

Facts & Legends

Each tapestry produced at the MSAD is limited to a maximum of eight editions, making them high-value collector's items that often hang in international embassies and the UN headquarters. A local point of pride is that a single square meter of tapestry can take a weaver several months to complete, depending on the complexity of the artist's original "cartoon" or design.