Art, culture on global spotlight ahead Lagos Gallery Weekend

…Organisers promise more exciting 2nd edition

Once again, it is time to celebrate art, culture, and Lagos as a city and a melting point for art and culture in Nigeria.

Hence, the organisers of Lagos Gallery Weekend (LGW), an enthralling three-day and a specially curated weekend fiesta event for art and culture in Lagos, are rolling out drums in the celebration of the 2025 edition of the LGW.

Yes, the drums are more colourful this time, as the LGW rides on the success of its maiden edition to draw attention to the art, culture and the destination Lagos itself which many do not know and those who know and need to indulge more in the art and culture landscapes of their beloved Lagos city.

This year’s LGW is holding on the theme, “Discover Lagos Through Art”, which the organisers noted is necessitated by the need to emphasize the dynamic fusion of tradition and contemporary expression that defines the city’s creative spirit.

Speaking recently with some Art Editors during a private chat, heralding the event at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Sunshine Alaibe, director, Lagos Gallery Weekend, noted that this year’s edition promises an immersive experience where creative connections and dialogue will be expressed between artists, collectors, art enthusiasts and more.

She described the LGW as a citywide celebration of art, culture, and community, where 20 galleries and five cultural institutions, all in Lagos city, will feature exciting exhibitions, performances and tours, showcasing Lagos’ vibrant artistic landscape.

Meanwhile, the 20 participating galleries, which are going to feature works from both emerging and established artists, offering diverse perspectives and mediums include: 202 BY ARTSPLIT, 16 BY 16, Alexis Gallery, Affinity Gallery, Aina gallery, AMG Projects, Bloom Art, Kó Art Space, Kokopelli Gallery, Nike Art gallery, Nomadic Gallery, O’DA Art, Rélé, Soto Gallery, Sachs Gallery, Tiwani Contemporary, TR INSTITUTE, Windsor gallery, Wunika mukan and Yenwa gallery.

The five museums/cultural institutions include: CCA, JK Randle Centre, Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Grillo Art, Alliance Francais and Goethe Institute.

Moreover, some of the special highlights of the week-long art celebration include; featured artists such as such as Gerald Chukwuma (Gerald Chukwuma), Emma Prempeh (Tiwani Contemporary), Obinna Makata (Soto Gallery), who will present new works that delve into themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage.

There are also LGW curated tours, in collaboration with Chisco Transport from March 28-30, 2025 to the venues and designated art/cultural hubs in Lagos.

The tours, which are a unique selling point of the LGW, will see the tour buses leaving from the Hub Area for the entire weekend, with each route carefully designed to give the visitors a comprehensive view of Lagos, from its contemporary art scene to its rich heritage.

Alaibe, who used the media chat platform to unveil other programmes of this year’s edition, disclosed that the LGW will take place from March 28- 30, 2025, at multiple venues, which would be coordinated from a central hub in Ikoyi, for stress-free events and easy administration.

The LGW Hub; a central gathering point for the weekend, is located at the Gather House, a concept store located at #38 Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Commenting on the hub, Sunshine Alaibe explained that the location will allow visitors to engage with the LGW brand in a variety of ways, as well as function as a marketplace, offering a selection of art and craft vendors. It will also be a workshop hub that will provide hands-on opportunities for creative expression; and a library, where attendees can explore a curated collection of art books and resources.

On the reasons to attend the LGW 2025, she assured that the visitors will discover Lagos through art, amid other offerings and excitement.

The attendees, according to her, will explore the rich tapestry of Lagos’ art scene, with galleries across the city opening their doors to transformative exhibitions and immersive storytelling.

As well, the attendees are encouraged to personalise their LGW experience by curating their own routes through the city’s galleries and exhibitions through the LGW’s website. This approach, according to Alaibe, allows for a unique and tailored journey, ensuring that each visitor can engage with the art and culture that resonates most with them.

Of course, tickets can be bought online from March 18, 2025 or at the LGW Hub during the gallery weekend.