Zenith Bank Plc has renewed its support for ART X Lagos 2026, reaffirming its commitment to promoting African art, preserving cultural heritage and supporting emerging creative talents.
The 11th edition of the art fair will take place from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The bank returns as a Silver Sponsor after supporting the event’s 10th anniversary in 2025.
Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig in 2016, ART X Lagos is an international art fair that showcases contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. It brings together artists, galleries, collectors and cultural organisations to promote African creativity to a global audience.
This year’s edition is themed “A New Chapter, A New Decade”. It will explore the contributions of artists, architects, educators and thinkers who helped shape modern art in Nigeria, while examining how cultural heritage can inspire new ideas and artistic expressions.
As part of its sponsorship, Zenith Bank will support two major programmes, ART X ICON and The Masterclass.
ART X ICON celebrates Nigerian artists whose work has made lasting contributions to the country’s art and culture. This year’s programme will focus on Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925–1984), the renowned Nigerian potter whose image appears on the country’s ₦20 note.
The exhibition, titled “Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel”, was developed by curator Dr Jareh Das. It will explore Kwali’s life, artistic work and influence on Nigerian ceramics.
The exhibition will feature pottery and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, alongside works from private collections. It will also showcase works by women potters who worked with or followed Kwali, including Kande Ushafa and Asibi Ido, as well as traditional pottery from Gbari, Nupe and Bida communities.
The exhibition aims to highlight the traditional pottery knowledge Kwali inherited, the innovations she introduced and the influence she had on later generations of artists.
The Masterclass will complement the exhibition by giving emerging artists an opportunity to learn from established creative professionals and explore the connection between traditional art and modern creative practices.
Ten emerging artists will be selected from different fields, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, digital art, performance and ceramics.
Speaking on the partnership, Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, said supporting the creative industry requires preserving cultural heritage and investing in young talents.
She said the bank’s continued partnership with ART X Lagos reflects its commitment to promoting African artistic excellence, strengthening cultural institutions and creating opportunities for emerging creatives.
Umeoji added that Zenith Bank would continue to support initiatives that promote the economic and cultural value of Nigeria’s creative industry and increase the global recognition of African art.
The founder and director of ART X Lagos, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, expressed appreciation for the bank’s continued support.
She said partnerships with organisations such as Zenith Bank were important to sustaining the fair’s vision, expanding its impact and creating opportunities for African creativity to thrive internationally.
Other highlights of ART X Lagos 2026 will include 15 exhibitors across its Main and Spotlight sections. The fair will also feature special projects such as Ndidi Dike’s Residues of Past Encounters: 2024–2026, The ART X Library and Speakers’ Corner.
Additional programmes will include ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders and the Schools’ Programme.
Founded in 1990 by Jim Ovia, Zenith Bank is a multinational financial services institution headquartered in Lagos.