By HeapNews
Photo by: E. M. Pio Roda
Commemorating 50 years of their Sister Cities partnership, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos and Rele Arts Foundation have launched the LagosAtlanta Artist Exchange, further cementing the cultural bond between Lagos and Atlanta, established in 1974. This exchange program brings Atlanta-based artists to Lagos, deepening artistic collaborations and highlighting the impact of this enduring relationship.
As part of the exchange residency, two acclaimed Atlanta artists, Myra Greene and Artemus Jenkins, arrived in Lagos earlier this month. Greene, a photographer and textile artist, will present her work New Myths at the Afropolis Festival on October 28 at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan. Jenkins, a filmmaker and photographer, will showcase GITYUSUMPROTECTION at Angels and Muse Art Studio in Ikoyi, with an opening on October 31. Both artists’ works explore themes that reflect the cultural ties between Lagos and Atlanta.
The Atlanta Artists Visiting Lagos:
U.S. Consul General Will Stevens expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “We are excited to support the LagosAtlanta Artist Exchange as it showcases the power of art to connect people and communities across the world,” he stated. “This artist exchange deepens the cultural ties between our two cities, fostering creative innovation and collaboration.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also praised the program, affirming the strength of the Lagos-Atlanta partnership. “The Lagos-Atlanta Sister Cities partnership exemplifies the enduring bond between our two cities, symbolizing a commitment to cultural enrichment and mutual growth,” Sanwo-Olu shared. “As we mark this significant milestone, Lagos State reaffirms its dedication to strengthening these cultural ties, which enrich both our communities and create lasting pathways for artistic innovation and connection.”
The artist exchange isn’t the first cultural initiative celebrating this partnership. In February, the Atlanta BeltLine hosted a residency program for Lagos-based artists Taiye Idahor and Kainebi Osahenye, who immersed themselves in Atlanta’s creative culture and produced works featured in the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition.
Mary Gbobaniyi, Delta Airlines’ Manager for Sales West Africa, emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting communities globally: “We are thrilled to support the LagosAtlanta Artist Exchange, fostering diversity, cultural exchange, and artistic innovation between two vibrant cities.”
As one of the most successful Sister Cities partnerships, the Lagos-Atlanta relationship spans education, the arts, and cultural exchange, continuing to build bridges and foster deep ties between the two communities.