Art Street Artists Request Financial Support from Government

By Ikenna Orioha.

Imo Art Street Artists, have requested the State Government to visit the Art Gallery in order to know level of improvement to adequately fund it to enhance creativity and empowering creative minds.

The request for funding and improving art works and creativity in Imo State, was made by the President of Imo Art Street Artists, Mr Ikebudu Cyraicus, while hosting the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creativity, at the Art Gallery Village, Freedom Square, Owerri, on Monday.

Ikebudu who confided that he is a born artist having studied Theatre Arts with Magic Finger in artistry, said Barr Uche Onyeaguocha, former Secretary to Imo State Government, saw them displaying their art works in the streets, hosted them at his house, told them to come together and originally gave out the Art Village Gallery wherein they produce arts and exhibit same to public appreciation, recognition and consumption, attesting that the Art Village Gallery was initially hollow when the previous government gave it out to Imo Art Street Artists.

While enumerating challenges of finance, light, water, security and awareness to enable them organize art exhibition and tour adequately, the Imo Art Street Artists, noted that many graduates and students have been empowered through their individual efforts.

Imo Arts Street Artists with Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creativity, during a visit to Imo Arts Village Gallery, Freedom Square, Owerri, on Monday

“If government and well- meaning people encourage us, we will make more money through our creative works. We are calling on them to come and support us financially. Art is ruling the world entrepreneurially and it is therapeutic and healing. We have Imo Creativity Art Exhibition coming up in April, 2020. Here, we teach trainees free of charge because we want them to grow and become useful to themselves and contribute meaningfully to society growth.

“At school, graduates and students are not well taught and grounded in practical arts. We commend the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Nna Gilbert, for visiting us”, Ikeburu stated.

Francis Njoku, an artist and member, Imo Art Street Artists, while exhibiting the Arts to the Permanent Secretary, urged him to come and have an Annex Office at the Art Village Gallery to make the place well organized and attracting, saying young creative youths have been taking refuge therein.

Chuks Okereke, Chief Executive Officer of Human Resources Development Consult and initiator of Imo Creativity Exhibition, stated that the 3days event will provide a platform to showcase the best art works, technological innovations and metal fabrications in Imo state.

According to Okereke, “there are so many talented and creative Imo youths alm over the state who need enabling environment to display what God has given them. The time has come”.

Okereke, therefore, enjoined “all relevant stakeholders to support this event which is targeted to create employment opportunities for the teaming population of Imo youth”.

Assuring the Imo Art Street Artists of government support and assistance for advancement and economic prosperity, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creativity, Nna Gilbert, hinted that Imo has something great and enticing to showcase to the world.

Nna added that “there is no tourist attraction in the state that can beat the Art Gallery Village. Government will nourish it, repackages it for appreciation and more patronage to improve skills and boost revenue. Thank you for welcoming me to the Imo Art Village Gallery”.

Indeed, some of the Arts Showcased promote legendary, freedom, agriculture, farming, palm-wine production, representing African culture, virtuous living among females, the ways of life and conducts of Igbo race including Africa, community renaissance, age of communication, healing and arts, helping to identify identities and condemning slavery and colonialism, as well as breeding therapy, nourishing the hearts.

©️News Corner.