A-ARTs: Young at Art… Asidere, Davies, others inspire children

Songstress, Yinka Davies painting during the workshop.

Biodun Omolayyo’s initiative, Young at Art Children Art Workshop has just concluded another free art workshop/creative party at the City Mall, Onikan, Lagos. Oragnised by his gallery for children between ages 7 and 16 from schools within Lagos and environs, the event, which coincided with Children’s Day celebration also had songstress Yinka Davies in attendance “to inspire the children.”

Duke Asidere, a professional artist, also mentored the children with his special style of painting, which he described as "simple style of painting from a child's perspective."

The 2012 edition was similar to the previous two years when Engr. Yemisi Shyllon, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and Funke Akindele a.k.a Jenifa mentored the children.

Artist, Duke Asidere, mixing colours during painting demonstration at children's art workshop, Young at Art, in Lagos.

Also featured was Mrs. Funmilayo Sammy Olagbaju as Lead Mentor in conjunction with Davies as both of them painted before the children. Davies also sang on special request from the children. After Asidere, Omolayo also did a quick landscape painting that thrilled the children before the workshop and creative party took off fully.

The turnout this year was equally impressive and better organised with some students coming from Ogun State. Another improvement on the workshop this year was the production of a colourful 24-page magazine Young @ Art Express, which was distributed to all participants.

Facilitators for the workshop were drawn from Federal College of Education Technical, Akoka, Lagos, Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery, and friends.

Sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Operator of NNPC/MPN Joint Venture, which has been sponsoring it for the past three years, other supporters included City Mall, UAC Foods, AB Artworld, Teco Group, Kids Republic, OYASAF, Specifics Ltd, Praise Cards, Mr. Sammy Olagbaju, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and Chief Frank Okonta.

Still on spreading art awareness outside the regular medium, Biodunomolayo Gallery also organises art workshop for adults. One such workshops is Sweet Art, although not new, is gaining grounds among a lot of women.

Omolayo argued that “getting people involved in art, particularly the lighter aspect of it, and in a relaxed, non-formal setting boosts art appreciation.”

Some of the works at the Biodunomolayo Gallery, National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, stress the enthusiasm expressed on canvas by the participants.

Stating that the gains of these initiatives, he said although the basic concept was aimed at empowering children and women in creative skill, the appreciation value, which the people would bring onto the art landscape, is worth investing time and energy. “It’s not just Biodunomolayo that benefits from this, but the entire art community”.

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