Twenty Nigerian painters have been selected to participate in Old Masters by New Masters, a two-week international art masterclass scheduled to hold in Lagos from July 7 to 18, 2025.
The program is organised by the Legacy Arts Foundation (LAF) in collaboration with the Belgian Embassy in Nigeria. It will be led by Belgian art professor Wouter Steel and Nigerian artist and scholar Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo.
Participants will undergo practical training in classical European painting techniques during the course. The program will end with a public exhibition of the artists’ works on July 21 in Lagos. A follow-up showcase is also scheduled for July 24 at the Belgian Ambassador’s residence in Abuja.
“We are grateful to The Osa Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) for joining us in making this opportunity accessible to more artists, and proud to work alongside the Belgian Embassy to facilitate this cross-cultural exchange,” said Niyi Adenubi, Founder of the Legacy Arts Foundation. “It’s an honour to be able to support artists whose work reflects the greatness of our nation and inspires me personally.”
Half of the selected participants are being sponsored by The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF), which is supporting 10 artists. The other 10 are funded by LAF.
“Nigerians are innately creative and that ingenuity shines across every sector, including the arts. But without access and the right infrastructure, creativity often fades before it ever finds its voice. That’s why we chose to support this initiative: to open the door for more deserving artists to participate and be seen. Because in the end, it’s not just about the work they create today, it’s about the legacy they leave behind. Our culture deserves that investment. So do our people,” said Okunbo, Founder of TOOF.
Commenting on the event, Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenkgegt, said, “Old Masters for Future Masters is the long overdue meeting between the visual tricks from the Low Countries’ pictorial traditions and the strong neorealist undercurrent in Nigerian contemporary art. Tapping into that connection with a bi-national teacher duo and budding artists in Lagos is truly thrilling and holds a renewed promise for our bilateral cultural relations.”
The program has also attracted media partnership from Eyes of a Lagos Boy, a Nigerian visual storytelling platform that will document and promote the initiative to local and international audiences.
Selected participants include a diverse group of emerging and mid-career artists from across the country. Aside from practical instruction, the initiative features guest lectures by curators, gallerists, and art journalists to enhance participants’ professional development and visibility in the art world.