Zenith Bank Plc has confirmed its support for Nigeria’s creative and cultural scene by sponsoring ART X Lagos 2026. The event will run from 5 to 8 November 2026 at the Federal Palace in Lagos.
This is the bank's return as a Silver Sponsor for the 11th edition, following its support for the fair's landmark tenth-anniversary edition in 2025. Zenith Bank aims to support platforms that celebrate African artistic talent, preserve cultural heritage, and provide chances for new creative talents to grow.
ART X Lagos was founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig in 2016. It is a leading international platform dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. The fair connects artists, galleries, collectors, and cultural institutions while promoting African creativity worldwide. Since starting, ART X Lagos has featured artists and galleries from over 70 countries, welcoming participants from 170 nations.
The theme for the 11th edition is: A New Chapter, A New Decade. This theme focuses on the artists, architects, educators, and thinkers who influenced modernism in Nigeria. It looks at how cultural heritage can inspire new forms of artistic expression and future possibilities.
By sponsoring ART X Lagos, Zenith Bank helps support the growth of this international platform for artistic exchange, cultural preservation, and creative business. They aim to strengthen connections in Africa’s creative ecosystem and provide opportunities for growth and teamwork.
Zenith Bank will support two main programs: ART X ICON and The Masterclass. ART X ICON honors the achievements of Nigeria’s artistic pioneers. The Masterclass gives emerging creatives a chance to learn and develop their skills.
This year, ART X ICON will focus on Ladi Dosei Kwali, a pioneering Nigerian potter who lived from 1925 to 1984. The exhibition is titled Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel and is developed by curator Dr Jareh Das.
Ladi Kwali is well-known for being on Nigeria’s 20-naira note. She made significant contributions to Nigerian ceramics and helped bring traditional Nigerian pottery to the global stage. By using traditional pottery knowledge, she created a unique artistic style that gained her international fame.
The exhibition will include ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, as well as works from private collections. Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel will provide a deeper look into her life, work, and lasting impact.
The exhibition will also feature works by women potters like Kande Ushafa and Asibi Ido, and traditional pottery by Gbari, Nupe, and Bida potters. Together, these works show the artistic traditions Kwali built on, the innovations she brought, and the knowledge carried on by future generations.
Alongside ART X ICON, The Masterclass will connect emerging artists with Ladi Kwali’s legacy. This will allow them to explore the link between traditional artistic knowledge and modern creative practice.
The program will select ten emerging artists from various fields, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, digital practice, performance, and ceramics. They will have intimate discussions and engage meaningfully with established creative professionals.
Dr Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, spoke about the partnership. She said:
“At Zenith Bank, we know that growing the creative economy needs preserving our cultural heritage and investing in the talents shaping its future. Our partnership with ART X Lagos shows our belief in supporting platforms that celebrate African artistic excellence and create opportunities for new creatives.”
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and Director of ART X Lagos, said:
“As ART X Lagos starts its second decade, we are very grateful for the continued support from sponsors like Zenith Bank. Their support shows a shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative and cultural scene. Partnerships like this help sustain our vision and create lasting opportunities for African creativity.”
Besides ART X ICON and The Masterclass, ART X Lagos 2026 will have 15 exhibitors in its Main and Spotlight sections. It will also offer a range of Special Projects, including Ndidi Dike’s Residues of Past Encounters: 2024, 2026, The ART X Library, and Speakers’ Corner.
The fair will also feature ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders, and the Schools’ Programme, celebrating the diversity of contemporary creativity from Africa and its diaspora.
ART X Lagos 2026 will take place from 5 to 8 November 2026 at Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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