Abuja Arts and Craft Expo, a week to remember

The event, which began on November 19 and ended on the 23rd of the same month brought together people and cultures from within and outside Nigeria. But how successful was it?   Creative minds and lovers of art across the country converged last week at the Exhibition Pavilion Center in Abuja for the 11th edition […]

The event, which began on November 19 and ended on the 23rd of the same month brought together people and cultures from within and outside Nigeria. But how successful was it?

 

Creative minds and lovers of art across the country converged last week at the Exhibition Pavilion Center in Abuja for the 11th edition of the International Arts and Craft Expo. There were 107 countries in attendance including 27 exhibitors and 20 participating states.

The Abuja Arts and Craft Expo aims at creating a platform for gifted men and women to showcase their talent, as well as sell their works to the public. To some, however, it was a week of fun, an opportunity to learn and interact with people they otherwise might not have had access to.

Known as Africa Arts and Crafts (AFC) Expo, the name was changed to International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo. This year’s theme was ‘Networking Nigerian Arts to the World’.

The expo had a lot lined up, like exhibitions of apparel and embroidery, brass and metal designs, leather work, interior designs, beads, handmade bronze wood designs, and raffia. Delicious cuisine was made available from across the world, including music and dance.

There was a skills acquisition section for youths in a variety of areas and participants were issued certificates. This was part of efforts put in place by the organizers to encourage self-reliance. Free medical tests were also provided which led to the distribution of 200 medicated glasses.

Tents and the exhibition hall were filled with intriguing artworks displayed by different participants in and outside the country. The hall was decorated to represent the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, as well as depict its unity in diversity. Kaduna and Kano State emerged best exhibitors of the year

To further spice up the event, China, India, Bangladesh and Ogun State had their special days which featured dance, songs and other exciting cultural displays.

According to the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the theme was chosen in a bid to make the expo no longer a continental affair but a global meeting place for critical stakeholders in the culture and arts sector. He added that the exposition has lived up to expectation and brought about regional integration, continental unity and created economic opportunities in the sector.

Also speaking, the Head of Media, National Council for Arts and Culture, Chas Nwam said the event was packaged to create opportunities for creative artists to meet people who appreciate art, as well as to create an enabling environment for them to sell their works.

“We have a lot of creative people who do not have the platform to showcase their product as well as people who will patronize those products. As such, this event helps creative minds to make sales. The name was changed from Africa Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo to International Arts and Crafts (INC) Expo in an effort to make it an international event where participants from different countries will take part. This year’s event was an improvement on the previous ones,” he said.

Speaking with participants at the event, the Director, Museum and Material Culture of Katsina State, Mohammed Rabiu Suleiman said he sees the expo as a unity force which brings about social interaction among people from different places, both in and outside the country. Also, that the fact that the organizers put in a lot of effort to make it a success by providing free accommodation to the participants was a great deal. “We brought a lot of cultural heritage to share with people like wood carvings, textile and lots more,” he said, adding that “to me this expo meets international standard because I have attended exhibitions outside Nigeria and I know what is obtainable there.” Mohammed said.

Another participant, Sally Andyline said the event was “wonderful” although the patronage was not encouraging compared to last year, which she attributed to the economic situation of the country as well as the venue which was usually Eagles Square.

In the same vein, an artist/wood carver, Daniel Danlami Abasia said the event was interesting but the patronage was not encouraging, adding that majority of his customers are foreigners.  He however appreciated the effort of the organizers who made it a memorable experience.