The Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) is an annual art festival event aimed at promoting visual art expression across the country while providing the platform for young artists to be celebrated.
Every year, the event is given a theme that acts as a guideline for the creation of the art pieces; this year, the theme named “Twilight”. LIMCAF this year was a weeklong event that ended with a ‘Gala and Award’ night where the artists with the best entries were rewarded for their creativity with awards as well as cash prizes.
At the Gala and Award night held at the International Conference Center of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu, a frenzy of different activities greeted the fine and imaginative art works already on display, with guests openly showing their admiration for the various pieces.
The excitement in the venue was over the roof as colourful performances by traditional music and dance crews mingled with even more art exhibits, great speeches and growing anticipation about who the winner of the grand prize would be. That anxiety was quelled by the announcement of Ifedilichukwu Chibuike as the winner with his expressive art piece, Enigma, a copper wire, wool, long play record and white pull installation piece. Chibuike, an IMT Fine and Applied Art graduate, received a 500,000 Naira cash prize and will show his creations to the world courtesy of an all-expenses paid trip to the Dakar Art Biennale (also known as Dak’Art), one of Africa’s most prestigious art exhibitions.
Speaking at the event, Dennis Okoro, Director at the MTN Foundation told the audience that MTN remains dedicated to supporting the continued growth of arts and culture in Nigeria. In his words, “MTN, by its support of the Life in My City Arts Festival, as well as other arts and culture causes, continues to set new standards for corporate Nigeria, while supporting the creativity and industry of our young people and opening new vistas to showcase the beauty of our people internationally.”
The events attracted many VIPs, including the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe as well as one of the largest art collectors in Africa, Prince Yemisi Shyllon. The top 25 entries to the competition, chosen from over 400, were recognised and presented with various awards and cash prizes.
MTN Nigeria, through the MTN Foundation continues to support such shows as the LIMCAF, as part of its Arts and Culture initiative which promotes various art, drama and music productions. As part of the activities lined up for the last quarter of the year, the Foundation has already supported such well-loved shows as ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ and ‘Legends, the Musical’. Arts & Culture lovers can look forward to other MTNF sponsored performances like Our Son the Minister, Oba Esugbayi and Made in Nigeria Poetry show, amongst others.