AWKA/Nigeria: No fewer than 56 curators, crafters, and artisans have converged in Awka, Anambra, to showcase their creative prowess at the first edition of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition. Organized by the state Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), the four-day event is drawing art lovers, collectors, and craft enthusiasts from far and wide.
From clay to leather, wood to glass, and a dazzling array of jewelry and paintings, crafters, curators, and artisans from various parts of the state have put their handmade crafts on display. The exhibition also features works produced by members of SNA, as well as indigenous traditional artworks crafted by guilds of blacksmiths and native wood carvers.
Visitors to the exhibition are treated to a multifaceted experience, as different groups perform cultural acts, enhancing the immersive atmosphere.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, expressed his commitment to making Anambra a burgeoning hub for arts and tourism. He highlighted the administration’s determination to promote indigenous arts and crafts as part of a broader effort to stimulate youth employment.
Governor Soludo remarked, “This administration is making a huge impact on all sectors. We have declared free education, free antenatal and delivery care services, and now, the arts, culture, and tourism sector will not be left out. We are working to ensure that we build a market where creativity would be valued. This exhibition is an opportunity for our crafters, artisans, and curators to expose their talents and skills to attract tourists and investors.”
The state Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, emphasized the exhibition’s significance in revealing Anambra’s rich artistic heritage. He stressed that the event offered a glimpse into the vast potential of the state’s creative industry, which has been underappreciated in the past.
“The creative industry seems to be neglected, which is why the governor gave us a mandate to hold this exhibition and promote our arts and crafts. No fewer than 56 curators, crafters, and artisans are here to display their works, and it is an opportunity for the world to appreciate Anambra’s special endowment. We believe this will encourage more people, especially youths, to look into the creative and artistic sector for socio-economic development,” Commissioner Onyenji stated.
As the Arts and Crafts Exhibition unfolds over the next few days, it is not only showcasing the talents of Anambra’s artisans but also highlighting the state’s commitment to fostering a vibrant creative economy and cultural renaissance. Visitors and participants alike are poised to witness a celebration of artistry and culture that promises to have a lasting impact on the region’s artistic landscape.
