By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
Barrister Arthur Harris Eze, top, and Dr Dayo Adewunmi
Ziks Avenue is arguably the most hurly-burly road in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, but tucked inside Number 261 is seminal serenity.
Here is the home of Awka Museum Foundation facilitated by the irrepressible art connoisseur Barrister Arthur Harris-Eze.
Its noonday on Saturday, July 22, 2023, and art enthusiasts are gathered here for the much-cherished Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF). This marks the first time the festival is being celebrated in the Anambra Region.
Initiated in 2007, LIMCAF is, according to its Art Director, Ayo Adewunmi. Ph.D, an annual celebration of creativity, featuring art competition for young talents in the Nigerian art landscape.”
The days programme kicks off with the presentation and breaking of traditional kola-nuts in the Igbo traditional way of the life-giving nuts not speaking English language.
The personable curator at Awka Museum Foundation, Ms Chioma Okoli, introduces the guests such as Prof Cliff Nwannna, Rector of Renaissance College of Technology, and Sir Chuka Nnabuife, MD/CEO of Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation, publishers of National Light, Ka O Di Taa, and SportsLight Newspapers.
The Director of Awka Museum Foundation, Barrister Arthur Harris-Eze who flew in from London, England for the event was his vivacious self, getting everybody involved in the proceedings.
In his Welcome Address, LIMCAF Art Director, Ayo Adewunmi, stated: Our Mission is to position art for social development through youth empowerment, thereby promoting art as a resource for national development. The Vision is to establish LIMCAF as one of the top three high profile events in Africa within the international art events calendar.
He revealed that the festival has become the biggest art event in Nigeria, with this years edition attracting 576 entries from around the country, which happens to be the highest number of entries received since the inception of the festival in 2007.
For the Awka Museum Foundation exhibition, Dr. Adewunmi informs, LIMCAF is showing 20 artworks from the entries received from Anambra Region. From these artworks, the local jury may recommend four artworks to be part of the Grand Finale in Enugu in October 2023.
Adewunmi is filled with optimism of charging further ahead, saying: This year, LIMCAF increased the Prizes to be won by promising young Nigerian artists to over 6 Million Naira. This increase is made possible with the support from MTN Foundation, the Ford Foundation and other sponsors. We remain grateful to all the sponsors.
LIMCAF is grateful to Management of Awka Museum Foundation for their effort in making sure this new partnership is productive. We hope to continue to work with the museum to propagate contemporary art as well as position young Anambra artists for steady professional development.
The young artists whose works were on display include: Abugu Odinaka Christiantus, Ahumaraeze Ekeoma Itah, Anozie Jeremiah Udeh, Dunu Miracle Chijioke, Enebeli Desmond, Fidelis Umahi Stephen, Okafor Ogochukwu Stella, Ezenwekwe Stanley Kosiso, Nwoye Chisom Joseph, Okonkwo Kyrian, Okpe Esther Ogechi, Okosi Chukwuma Joseph, Stanley Nwite Ejike, and Ugwuanyi Chukwuebuka Joseph.
