LGW to celebrate cultural energy of Lagos arts

2026-03-02 - 00:16

By Onyeka Ezike The Lagos Gallery Weekend (LGW) has announced the 3rd edition of its citywide celebration of contemporary art, spotlighting the creative and cultural energy of Lagos. This year’s edition, themed “Art for All,” champions inclusivity by bridging the gap between galleries and the general public. Running from March 5 to 8, 2026, the event will feature twenty art galleries and an Inside Route that will take visitors on a tour of the city, from Yaba to Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki. The announcement was made at a press conference held in Ikoyi, Lagos. The event will allow art enthusiasts to interact with artworks across several galleries, including Alliance Française De Lagos, CCA, John Randle Centre, KO, Kokopelli Gallery, NURU Gallery, SOTO Gallery, Adegbola Gallery, Alexis Galleries, Bloom Art Lagos, FT Project, NAHOUS, Nomadic Art Gallery, O’DA Art, Windsor Gallery, Art Pantheon, Nike Art Gallery, SACHS Gallery, CREATH, and Yemisi Shyllon Museum. The dedicated routes span Yaba, the Ikoyi/Mainland corridor, the Lekki Route, and the LGW Hub at Alliance Française de Lagos. The event is held in collaboration with the +234 Art Fair, with a shared vision of making art accessible through the collective participation of galleries and art spaces across Lagos that have opened their doors to the public. Sunshine Alaibe, Director of Lagos Gallery Weekend, said the primary goal of the event is to bridge the gap between the general public and the art world, making art accessible to anyone willing to engage. “It’s important to make this distinction, LGW is not an art fair, and we do not focus on the commercial aspects of the galleries and spaces we engage. Rather, we are fostering cultural appreciation, dialogue, and community. We focus on the intrinsic value of the arts and the institutions and people that surround them. The event is a citywide festival and public art engagement that seeks to celebrate Lagos’s culture and art scene while promoting the tourism value of art,” she said. Alaibe also noted that the theme, “Art for All”, was inspired by their experience at last year’s edition. “We noticed that even bus drivers felt the spark and engaged with the brand. The event creates space for everyone, whether you prefer talks, workshops, or simply wandering through on your own. We know that a stronger Nigerian art sector depends on our collective voices. By activating these corners of our city together, we are building a movement that belongs to everyone.” The participating galleries will open their doors simultaneously from Thursday, March 5, to Sunday, March 8, 2026. Programming will include workshops, panel discussions, and in-house tours, some organised in partnership with LGW, and others run independently by the galleries. A detailed roster of all scheduled activities across the different spaces has been made available for visitors. The event will also create an economic opportunity for bus drivers, whose services will be engaged to ferry visitors between locations. Additionally, individuals are welcome to explore the galleries independently and at their own pace. Sponsored by Chisco Transport, the event is projected to attract over 3,000 art enthusiasts, children and adults alike, over the course of the weekend. The programme features eight curated tours, each with a distinct focus. The opening day will centre on Alliance Française De Lagos in Ikoyi, the official LGW Hub. Saturday’s activities will focus on Victoria Island, while Sunday’s programming will be concentrated in Lekki. Activities across the weekend include workshops, art talks, performances, and film screenings. Programmes Lead Phoebe Giffey-Brohaugh noted that the event has been thoughtfully designed to welcome families and children. “Friday is dedicated to student tours, welcoming students from primary through university level, in partnership with student groups. They will not only visit our hub but will also travel to different gallery spaces and collaborator venues. We believe this will be both inspiring and educational. There is a special session for children at O’DA Art Gallery, and additional sessions at the hub. We are also working with schools to provide subsidised fares,” she said. The Lagos Gallery Weekend is an annual celebration of contemporary art across Lagos, Nigeria, highlighting the city’s creativity and cultural energy. The citywide initiative brings together leading galleries and art spaces in Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and beyond through several days of coordinated exhibitions, events, and special programming, inviting audiences to move through the city and experience the depth, diversity, and momentum of Lagos’s contemporary art scene.