National Museum of Unity, IFRA-Nigeria trains students on pottery making
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
To encourage interest in pottery making in schools, the Museum of Unity in partnership with the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria) on Tuesday organised a one-day Artistic Workshop on Pottery Making.
Mrs Oriyomi Otuka, the Curator National Museum of Unity said that the wokshop is to showcase the rich traditions of pottery-making to the younger generation.
Otuka said that the art of pottery is one of humanity’s oldest creative expressions, connecting us to our past.
“While allowing us to mold the present and imagine the future. Beyond its artistic beauty, pottery has functional, cultural, and economic significance.
“ It tells stories of communities, preserves heritage, and serves as a medium for creativity and innovation,” she said.
Otuka said that the workshop is hands-on, offering participants the unique opportunity to not only observe but to actively engage in the craft.
“ They experienced the entire process from molding clay with your hands to creating your own artistic pieces.
“This practical approach allows one to fully immerse yourselves in the art form, enriching your understanding and appreciation of pottery,’ she said.
The Curator, however, urged the students to make adequate use of the invaluable chance to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application.
“The skills and insights you gain here today may inspire new ideas for your academic projects, entrepreneurial ventures, or artistic pursuits.
“Deepen your appreciation for pottery and discover new ways to express your creativity.
“Remember, every masterpiece starts with a single step, and for some of you, that first step begins today with your hands in the clay.
“At the National Museum of Unity, our mission goes beyond preserving artifacts; we aim to foster a living connection to culture and heritage.
“Workshops like this play a crucial role in fulfilling that mission by nurturing talent, inspiring innovation, and preserving traditional crafts for future generations,” she said.
She appreciated IFRA Nigeria for their unwavering support and commitment to promoting arts and culture in Nigeria.
“Their sponsorship of this workshop exemplifies their dedication to empowering communities through education and creativity,” she said.
Dr Delphine Manetta, IFRA-Nigeria representative said that they are a research institution, and sometimes they get involved in projects for enlightenment and empowerment.
Manetta said that Mrs Adetunde Adetoro made the workshop realistic.
“ She’s a student of University of Ibadan and she enriched the project. She worked on some of the objects at the museum and brought them back to life.
`She made the objects speak and talk to us while just looking at them. We are geared at promoting new dialogue around these heritages, which is a norm around the Nigerian populace.
“Today’s pottery workshop was an abstract idea in the beginning, and I’m glad it came to pass. The young ones are learning from someone with vast knowledge of pottery, and that’s a very good way to impact knowledge.
“He made he young ones learn and know about the neglected heritage, which is pottery,’ she said.
A 16- year old Lekan Fatai of Samfort Group of Schools said he’s conversant with pottery as he used red clay to mold things.
Fatai said that he does molding for fun and has no plans to make money from it.
“ What I just made us a cup that had cover and an handle. It was fun doing this and I intend making many more things,’ ‘ he said.
A 16- year old, Favour Okiye of Ibadan Grammar School said she’s not been doing pottery works but she’s happy to be a participant of the workshop.
Okiye said that today was her first day of making something with clay.
“ I love artworks today is my first time in a pottery class and I’m happy to have my hands on clay.
“ I made a chair, tea cup that has handle and throw pillows . I hope henceforth I will be happy to lay my hands on clay so as ro make more things,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 200 students from both primary, secondary and higher institutions attend the workshop.
Some of the schools are : Amazing Grace Model School and College, Ibadan Grammar School, Glorious Kings and Queens College, Samford Group Of Schools, University Of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan and Leadcity University.
NAN reports that Akinkunmi Oyelere a ceramist popularly known as AkinPotter trained the participants. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
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