Maiden Art Expo Commences

The National Gallery of Art, (NGA) Abuja in conjunction with the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) will be staging from August 27-31, 2008 the first ever art fair of its kind in Nigeria. Simply tagged 'ArtExpo Nigeria', the fair is conceptualized to be an annual event for the Visual Arts sector.
The event, to be formally opened today 27th of August, 2008 at the National Museum Onikan, Lagos, will feature art works from 30 art galleries. On exhibit shall be the works of various artists from the Old Masters living and dead such as Ben Enwonwu, Prince Okuku, Bruce Onobrakpeya, David Dale among others, to the works of younger artists. According to the President AGAN, Chief Frank Okonta who is also the proprietor of Nkem Gallery, “Art Expo is an opportunity for all those who love art to come and see the richness of Nigeria's robust visual arts culture.”
In this show, over 750 art works will be on display and much like ArtExpo New York, which is the world's largest fine arts & popular art fair, it is hoped that the Nigerian version will ultimately become the biggest art show in Africa. The intention is to create an art marketplace that will offer the general public an opportunity to see original paintings and sculpture, and works on paper. Whether you are a seasoned collector, interested in adding to the allure of your home's interior design, or simply an art enthusiast interested in viewing the latest trends in the visual arts, ArtExpo Nigeria will have something for everyone.
Art Expo is an initiative of the National Gallery of Art and is being executed through the AGAN, a new body that has been set up to bring all galleries in the country together under one umbrella.  It membership cuts across the country even though majority of the galleries are based in Lagos.