ART enthusiast, Scholars and stakeholders in the art and culture industry were brought together last week at the Omenka Gallery, Lagos, to listen to a lecture by visiting American artist and founder of Mbari Institute of Contemporary African Art, Washington DC, USA, Professor Mimi Wolford.Prof Wolford who is visiting Nigeria on the US Department of State Travelling Speaker program aside the lecture, is scheduled to conduct workshops in Abuja, Oshogbo and at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos.

The literati, art enthusiasts and followers of the iconic figure, the Noble laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka will be treated to another celebration of the essence of the Artiste in the society using Wole Soyinka as a reference point as the organisers of the Open Door Series Project WS79 unveils the programme of activities marking his 79th birthday.

Renowned pianist and lawyer Louis Mbanefo and music composer and Cello maestro, Thomas Kanitz engaged the audience in a spellbound piano and cello concert at Muson centre Lagos recently. Both performers who are highly recognized in their musical prowess did not fail to accomplish this feat as they performed pieces of Beethoven, Schubert, and Vivaldi to the delight of the audience.

For long, women in our country were extremely restricted in terms of political appointments. This is in spite of the Beijing Declaration in 1995 where leaders and governments were pressured to allot a reasonable number of offices in decision making to women. However, we are currently witnessing a quiet revolution with the deployment, into critical positions, of Nigerian women who have distinguished themselves through their various callings. And in government, they are using their power, talent and moral examples to shape our lives.

As part of activities marking the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of The Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA), the body organised its first distinguished lecture themed “The Role of Art in National Transformation”, which aims to grow public dialogue and critical debate centered on contemporary art developments in Nigeria and Africa. It also serves as a platform for today’s most celebrated artists, thinkers, writers, curators, critics and art historians to share their knowledge, perspectives and ideas on the role of art in shaping society.