• VC commissions Fine and Applied Arts Studio
Lecturers at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts/Music, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, yesterday marvelled members of the university community and other invited guests with their various creative works during the maiden arts exhibition of the department.


With the theme “Agwa bu Mna”, meaning character is beauty, the exhibition, a first of its kind in the history of the university, was a vivid demonstration of the professional artistic prowess of the academic staff of the department. Over the years, the Fine and Applied Arts programme in the university has undergone conscious repositioning tailored towards preparing students of the discipline to acquire hands-on experience, and thereby becoming productively self-reliant on graduation. This is in line with the goal of the university to turn out globally competitive graduates and enterprising people with the functional knowledge and sellable skills that could meet the demands of the 21st century economy.

Declaring the exhibition open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba noted that Art has come to stay in the university as its value cannot be measured. Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sunday Elom reiterated the university’s determination towards ensuring it achieves its vision of becoming a world-class institution by encouraging creativity and innovation among its staff and students.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Victor Inyang, expressed his delight that creative art was evolving, adding that the progenitors of the industry were mainly cave dwellers whose works were mostly paintings; but today, he stated, it has assumed a wider dimension.
In her opening remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Gloria M. T Emezue enthused that the event was an auspicious one and called on the political class, non-governmental organizations and lovers of art to partner and also assist the department achieve its noble goal of raising creative minds.


Speaking also at the event, the Head of the Department, Professor Ameh Akoh noted that society cannot survive without Art. He affirmed that Art is appreciable and has survived over the years, stressing that technology has also given it a facelift. He mentioned that Art recounts history and makes the world a comfortable living stage.
The Special Guest of Honour to the occasion, Prince Simeon Alo in his remarks noted that Art rules the world. He drew a comparative allusion to the Holy Bible, stating that God was the first Artist and Sculptor because He designed and formed man in His own image after His likeness.
Highlights of the occasion were the commissioning of the first Fine and Applied Arts studio in the university by the Vice-Chancellor, folkloric-drama presentation and aesthetic display and presentations of the various art works of academic staff of the department. The occasion also featured prominent Artists from various places.


Speaking to the media after the event, one of the exhibitors, Dr. Emphraim Ugochukwu thanked the university management for supporting the event, calling on the organized private sector and art lovers to partner with the department to ensure such exhibition was organized often. He noted that it would definitely give global visibility to the numerous art works of members of the department and thereby improve the global standing of the university.

Some of dignitaries in the creative industry that graced the occasion were: Mr. Edozie Albert, Curator, National Gallery of Arts, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Mr. Igwe Chinedu, representing Ebonyi Local Government Area: Miss Yoannas Maria, Isiagu National Gallery of Art; Mr. Ani Vitrus, National Gallery of Art, Abakaliki; Mr. Agwu Enekwachi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and Mr. Chikwendu Chidi, National Gallery of Art, Calabar.