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Celebrating New Beginnings
Studio 11’s Journey with Afro Coffee
- written by Nafkot / Studio 11
There’s something magical about beginnings. They carry the excitement of the unknown and the thrill of potential. At Studio 11, we’ve been in celebration mode—not just for our new space, but for the partnerships that have brought us here. The flowers have been pouring in, but it wasn’t until we met Afro Coffee that the real celebration began.
Our journey with Afro Coffee started with a chance meeting, and it blossomed into a beautiful, fulfilling, and creative partnership. Now, as we settle into our new location (just a five-minute drive from Addis Ababa’s airport) our hearts are full. Gone are the days of the hidden studio tucked away at the top of four flights of stairs. Today, Studio 11 stands proud in a prime spot, ready to welcome the vibrant art community of Addis.
But let’s take a step back to where it all began. It was 2021, during the lockdown, Zion Yaynu, an Ethiopian painter raised in Australia, and Nafkot Gebeyehu, a photographer from Addis Ababa, found themselves working at Opian Tech, an Ethiopian health tech company. Our paths crossed there, and from day one, a bond was formed—one rooted in long discussions about the need for art spaces that could bring fresh, modern, and interactive experiences to the local art scene.
Those conversations lit a spark, and soon enough, Studio 11 was born. It was a modest beginning, but the impact was immediate. The exhibitions we curated resonated with the local community, creating a ripple effect that encouraged us to dream bigger. We collaborated with local brands, each partnership enriching what Studio 11 could offer. And then, Afro Coffee came into the picture.
Our collaboration with Afro Coffee began with a photo trip two years ago. Nafkot, with her keen eye for photography, documented the journey, while Zion’s artistic flair brought the limited-edition coffee blend packaging to life. The partnership didn’t stop there. Afro Coffee teamed up with us for a photo exhibition titled "The Streets Our Playground," celebrating Ethiopia’s skateboarding culture. We even had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, to create an AD for Afro Coffee as their brand ambassadors. And now, we’re thrilled to have Afro Coffee as a partner in our new space.
Having an art gallery in a country where art is often seen as a luxury is vital, especially for the youth. Studio 11 has become a hub—a place where like-minded individuals connect, share, and create. Just last week, a young woman brought us flowers and shared how she found her friend group at one of our events. “You deserve your flowers,” she said. “I was struggling to meet people, and now I have an entire group of friends thanks to Studio 11. Congratulations on your new space.”
In a country facing many challenges, spaces like Studio 11 offer inspiration and hope. As young people, we’re searching for reasons to stay, to build, and to create. With the support of Afro Coffee, we’re able to keep that inspiration alive, especially for young women. We have big plans for the future, including becoming a residency space for artists.
But that’s just the beginning of our story. We’re excited to share what’s next for Studio 11, and we promise you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for our September blog post, where we’ll dive into “Frozen Moments,” our first exhibition in the new space, showcasing the evocative work of Ethiopian painter Mahilet Afework. This is only the start, and we can’t wait to take you along on this journey.
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