Two artists, Miracle Takumo and Sime Patrick, last Wednesday emerged joint winners in the second edition of the Arts for Change competition with the theme ‘Nigeria of my dreams’.
Announcing the winners in Lagos last Wednesday at the grand finale of the competition, former commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the panel of judges were thorough and detailed in picking the winners out if the many entries receiced; and that they confirmed that the artists actually produced the works they presented for the competition, otherwise they would have been disqualified.
The former Commissioner also announced Imole Oyebamidele and Ibitoye Emmanuel as the first and second runners up, respectively.
While the joint winners shared the winning prize of N1m, the runners up got consolation cash prizes.
Abolore Shobayo, a member of the panel of judges, explained that all the artworks submitted were impressive, adding that three broad criteria were used in arriving at the winners.
He listed the criteria as good interpretation of the concept, creativity, and quality of artistic expression.
The facilitator of Arts for Change competition, Loye Amzat, said the competition was getting better from the maiden edition, which was held at Freedom Park last year with a price tag of 500,000.
He, however, thanked Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), First Bank, GoBet247 and other sponsors that partnered with the project to identify and reward creativity among the youths
He said; “Arts for Change competition was conceived to identify and reward talents among our youths. Last year, the theme was ‘Nigeria, Stronger Together’. Over 300 artists competed last year in the maiden edition. This year is more robust with the theme: “Nigeria of my dreams.”
Duke Asidionye, an art promoter, gave a keynote address on the need for the youths to look beyond politicians by ensuring that they fix the country through innovations.
He said the youths should focus more on their creative abilities to birth a new nation.
A United States-based philanthropist and art connoisseur, Dr. Joseph Ohens, who attended the event gave out consolation prizes from his pocket to a few of the artists as a way of encouraging them. He also purchased works from some of the artists.
