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Legendary Nigerian painter and sculptor, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya; U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills; founder of Nigeria's renowned Nike Art Gallery, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye; with celebrated bead painter, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh; during the U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, organized in commemoration of the 50 years of artistic collaborations between the United States and Nigeria and the 50-year Sister Cities partnership between Lagos and Atlanta-OLORISUPERGAL
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Ambassador Mills Honors Nigerian Artists, Celebrates 50 Years of Artistic Collaboration between the U.S. and Nigeria

In commemoration of 50 years of artistic collaborations between the United States and Nigeria, the U.S. Mission honored three legendary Nigerian artists โ€” Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, and Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya โ€” with the U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.โ€ฏ 

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The award recognized the three iconic artists, who first traveled to the United States over 50 years ago, as participants of the U.S. Department of Stateโ€™s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The ceremony gathered a distinguished audience, including political and business leaders, diplomats, academic figures,โ€ฏartsโ€ฏcuratorsโ€ฏandโ€ฏcollectors, as well asโ€ฏalumni of various U.S. government exchange programs. 

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U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills presented each of the artists with a commemorative certificate, honoring their exceptional commitment to their artistic craft, dedicated mentorship of emerging creatives, and invaluable contributions that have strengthened the bonds between the people of the United States and Nigeria.โ€ฏ 

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In his remarks, Ambassador Mills noted that the U.S. government is committed to supporting programs and initiatives that nurture cultural exchange, promote artistic expression, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian artists and professionals across the creative industries.โ€ฏHe highlighted the role ofโ€ฏU.S. government exchange program alumni in having a positive impact on their communities in many fields, including the creative economy. 

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โ€œArt has the power to connect people and communities across the world,โ€ Ambassador Mills said. โ€œThis is why we supported these programs 50 years ago, we support them now, and we will continue supporting them far into the future.โ€โ€ฏ 

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One of the awardees, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, founder of Nigeria’s renowned Nike Art Gallery, has mentored students worldwide in the traditional art of adire and batik. Her works are displayed internationally, including at the Smithsonianโ€™s National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC. โ€œParticipating in the U.S. government exchange program has significantly impacted my life, opening up new opportunities and perspectives that have shaped my career path and personal development,โ€ Chief Davies-Okundaye said.โ€ฏ 

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โ€œI am very happy to see this day,โ€ awardee and celebrated bead painter, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, said of the recognition. โ€œGoing to the U.S. on an exchange program 50 years ago in 1974, was truly transformative, giving me an opportunity to share my work widely and mentor the next generation of artists.โ€ Chief Buraimohโ€™s artwork has been exhibited globally, and he has taught at prestigious institutions, including the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and universities in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. 

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At 92, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya continues to be a towering figure in the Nigerian visual art scene, working across painting, printmaking, installation, and sculpture. He noted that the award recognition is a challenge to up-and-coming artist to remain dedicated to their craft. โ€œI am very excited and encouraged. I will continue to pay it forward by nurturing future talent in the industry,โ€ he added. Notable as the illustrator for Chinua Achebeโ€™sโ€ฏNo Longer at Ease, Professor Onobrakpeya has exhibited globally, including the current exhibition โ€œThe Mask and the Swordโ€ at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, and remains one of West Africaโ€™s most celebrated 20th century artists. 

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Organized by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Rele Arts Foundation; Lauren Tate Baeza, Curator of African Art at the High Museum of Art; with support from Delta Airlines, the event highlightedโ€ฏthe historic U.S.-Nigeria people-to-people connections in the visual arts as well as the 50-year Sister Cities partnership between Lagos and Atlanta.โ€ฏ 

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