Onyejekwe jumoke
@jumokeonyejekwe5773
1 month ago
📍Calabar, Nigeria
Been getting plenty DMs asking where to see real art in Calabar, not just the touristy stuff. So here's my honest guide to the galleries that actually feel like home.
First off, you have to check out **Nest Art Gallery** on Marian Road, right behind the old PZ building. It's not massive, but the owner, a local painter named Eka, curates a rotating collection of works from young Calabar artists. I stumbled in last month and saw a series of mixed-media pieces using local textiles and newspaper cutouts that told stories about the Cross River flood. It's the kind of place where you can chat with the artist if you catch them around. Entry is free, but they appreciate a small donation or buying a print.
Then there's **The Grist Mill Studio** on Ekpo Abasi Street, near the university junction. This one is more of a collective space. They host workshops every Saturday afternoon for anyone interested in painting or sculpture. I went last week and watched a guy carve a wooden mask from a discarded mango tree branch. It's raw, unpolished, and exactly what local art should be. They also sell small pieces for under 5,000 naira, perfect for decorating your apartment or gifting.
For something more established, **Calabar Art Gallery** on Ndidem Usang Iso Road (the one opposite the Cultural Centre) is the classic choice. They have permanent exhibits from the late Inyang Umana, plus rotating shows from contemporary artists. The air conditioning is a bonus on hot days. I went during the Calabar Carnival last December and they had a special display of carnival-themed paintings that were vibrant and chaotic in the best way. They charge 1,000 naira for entry, which goes to maintaining the space.
Lastly, don't sleep on the **Duke Town Art Collective** that pops up monthly at the Old Residency Museum on Duke Town Hill. It's not a fixed gallery, but they set up under the big mango trees near the museum entrance. The last edition featured a photographer who captured the mangrove swamps at dawn and a sculptor using recycled plastic bottles from the beach. Bring your own chair and buy some fried plantain from the lady who sells near the gate.
Pro tip: most galleries in Calabar have flexible hours. Call ahead or check their Instagram stories before you make the trip. And don't be shy to haggle on prices for original pieces - artists here appreciate the conversation.
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18 days ago