Orchard Light Gallery Opens in Ilorin to Promote Contemporary Arts

‎By Ozolua Uhakheme

‎‎A new art gallery, Orchard Light Gallery, was established on June 1, 2018, in Ilorin, Kwara State, by its founders as a contemporary art space to promote visual arts and support emerging artists through exhibitions and creative engagement.
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‎The gallery was established in response to the growing need for arts resurgence and creativity boost in Ilorin, Kwara State. Situated at No. 9, Pakata Road, Isaleoja, Ilorin, the creative hub has become more than a home for artists who are still finding their feet, but also a cultural abode for the exchange of ideas, the keeping of histories in styles, appreciation, and hope for moments to come, as highlighted by its founder in his welcome address.
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‎At the official opening, the director said the art gallery, Orchard Light Gallery, is a piece of his dream for all indigenes, aimed at making the lives of the average son and daughter who want to become artists come through. Apart from this, he noted, “Art needs more voices in an environment like this, and the passion for the development of the people is one that can never be suppressed. The global community hears of Kwara’s rich cultural history through arts, studies it, and adds to its knowledge about Nigeria and Africa.”
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‎According to the management team, Orchard Light Gallery was founded to bridge the gap between budding artists in Ilorin, Kwara State, who long to express themselves to the world but find no means. In a remark made by one of the present art collectors during lunch, he observed that, “Kwara is not widely known for arts and might not seem to embrace it, but the newly established art gallery, with its greatness, is a light meant to shine.”
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‎Speaking shortly after the unveiling, Aaron, an art enthusiast, commented, “The establishment of Orchard Light Gallery is not only bridging the gap in arts and creativity, but also a great addition to the development of arts in Nigeria.” He cited the forms of development Orchard Light Gallery would bring to the populace, especially the people of Kwara. He also noted that exhibited paintings, sculptures, mixed media and more experimental works would attract more national and international audiences.
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‎In an interview during the course of the event with a curator and indigene of Kwara State, he shared his thoughts on the event, noting that while there is a limited number of art galleries in Kwara State, which are mostly local, Orchard Light Gallery stands side by side with the Esie Museum, which is more accurately a museum with art and cultural collections, especially traditional soapstone works. However, Orchard Light Gallery showcases contemporary arts, even while promoting culture which makes it the first arts gallery in Kwara to do that.
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‎Reiterating the words of the founder, many attendees, including art collectors, art enthusiasts, artists, and other dignitaries, commended the founders’ innovative and selfless idea, applauding its essence for development and empowerment for the people of Kwara State. They also appreciated the management team of Orchard Light Gallery for its promised series of programmes, workshops, artist training, and regular exhibitions of works, which form part of the future goals of the art gallery.