Artist Lists Gains Of Exhibition In A’Ibom

A renowned artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, says the ongoing arts and crafts exhibition in Akwa Ibom State will impact positively on the socio-economic development of the state.
Onobrakpeya said this in an interview with newsmen at the exhibition pavilion in Uyo on Saturday.
He said that the exhibition was one of the best to be mounted in the country and of international standard.
“The economic benefits of the exhibition are multiple.
“This place has multiple advantages, it advertises the identity of the people, it creates jobs for the artists, it puts Akwa Ibom and Nigeria on the international map.
“An exhibition like this becomes one of the greatest publicity that Akwa Ibom can have in the world as an identity and a culture place, what they are thinking about and how they regard life and aspirations, “ he said.
Onobrakpeya, who is a teacher of arts for decades and initiator of Harmattan workshop were artists meet to learn skills and share ideas, said that craftsmen have opportunities through the exhibition to showcase their work.
According to him, the exhibition would bring out the identity of Akwa Ibom people and show the people who they are.
The artist told The Tide that the exhibition would provide an avenue for foreigners to visit the state and invest in the economy.
He said, “You find our that the exhibition itself will attract both indigenes and foreigners.
“ As you can see now there are many people converging on this town.
“ If this exhibition was not here, they will be drinking either in the club house or wasting away their time in other places.
“With this exhibition, they are here to enjoy the arts and feel the pause of the state and the nation.