Urban art, creativity on showcase at Lagos Street Art Festival

The Nigeria creative landscape is set to welcome the new year with a spectacular art and creative offering.

Tagged ‘Lagos Street Art Festival’, the event, in its maiden edition, is a five-day fusion of art and creativity and is slated the first quarter of 2024.

With the anticipated event, Lagos will kick-start 2024 in its tradition as the art, culture and entertainment hub of Nigeria.

The will witness a vibrant celebration of urban art, creativity and community, bringing together artists, enthusiasts, and the public to celebrate the dynamic intersection of street art, urban culture, and creative expression.

According to Osadolor Okunkpolor, executive creative director for the festival, the event is organised by Inscribe Art, a trailblazing creative collective and public art company, which is thrilled to bring the first-ever Lagos Street Art Festival to life.

He noted that the event is not just about celebrating art, but also a platform for boosting tourism, creating opportunities for artists, fostering education, capacity building, and engaging the youth.

Speaking furher Okunkpolor said that the maiden edition of the festival promises an immersive experience, transcending conventional art festivals.

“The five-day experiential festival will merge street art with pop culture, showcasing the talents of local and international artists through large-scale murals, installations, and interactive exhibits, transforming the city into an open-air art gallery,” he said.

Also, renowned artists and industry experts will conduct masterclasses, providing aspiring talents with invaluable insights and skills to further elevate their craft.

“The vibrant street art event will bring together artists for live demonstrations, collaborative projects, and for the creation of temporary art installations that will capture the spirit of Lagos. Embracing the diverse facets of urban culture, the festival will feature music performances, skating ramps, streetwear, street art culture, street food, exhibitions, and more, creating an immersive experience for attendees,” Okunkpolor noted.

On his part, Idris Aregbe, special adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, said that the festival is a strategic avenue for boosting tourism and fostering youth development through the creative arts.

“The festival aligns with the governor’s vision for contributing to Nigeria’s creative economy, and positioning Lagos as a cultural hub,” Aregbe said.

“I am thrilled to witness this synergy of art, tourism, and youth empowerment at this groundbreaking event, creating an opportunity to put Lagos on the global street festivals map”.

He further said that the festival is not just an event, but also a cultural movement that aims to leave an indelible mark.

A Creative Council, comprising experts from the arts and creative industries, will guide the design and overall experience of the festival. Their expertise ensures that the festival will be a unique and enriching experience for attendees.

The Lagos Street Art Festival is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Inscribe Art and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture. The partnership underscores the commitment to promoting arts, culture, and tourism in the state.

In line with the development, Inscribe Art invites forward-thinking brands to join hands in making history at the Lagos Street Art Festival. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to align with creativity, culture, and community on a grand scale and redefine standards in the mural art space,” Inscribe Art said.

Notable among its projects is the a series of graffiti murals situated at Law School Bus Stop, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos that narrates Lagos stories and the city’s resourcefulness to a global audience.

Additionally, Inscribe Art has spearheaded prominent projects, including; Basketball court murals across Nnamdi Kanu Park, Victoria Garden City, and the Adidas Store in Victoria Island. They have also collaborated on murals with brands such as; GT Bank, RedBull, Hennessy, Apple Music, amongst others.