Jos, Plateau State — Street Made of Gold (SMOG), a non-governmental organization, held a vibrant art exhibition on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State. The event, themed “Transforming Creativity Into Opportunity,” brought together artists, collectors, and art lovers to celebrate and promote the power of artistic expression as a tool for youth empowerment, unity, and social inclusion.
The exhibition provided a platform for young creatives to showcase their talents in painting, sculpture, and pencil art, while also encouraging skill acquisition and community engagement. Kudos to the supporting partners: Maiboza Properties Ltd, Redlenz Multimedia, ScoutSity for coming to drive this initiative. Warphoodfilms was also there to assist with media coverage as well.
Speaking at the event, Charles Maiboza, President and Founder of SMOG, emphasized the vision behind the exhibition.
“This event is about turning creativity into real opportunities. We’re creating a safe space where young people can connect, share ideas, and work together to build a society rooted in common interests, unity, and productivity. Our goal is to reduce idleness, promote skill development, and contribute to a community where security, food, and well-being are accessible to all,” he said.
Patience Toscanini, General Manager of SMOG, highlighted the exhibition’s focus on Plateau State’s artistic potential.
“We organized this exhibition to showcase the incredible talents in Plateau. We’re also streaming it live online to give broader visibility. Just as Plateau is known as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism,’ we want to give our youth a platform to sell their work, meet investors, and access larger markets. We hope this becomes an annual event,” she noted.
One of the featured artists, Onyinye Christiana, the only female exhibitor, is a visual artist and graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Jos. She specializes in painting and has been practicing for over a decade.
“My work speaks to women’s issues, and being the only female artist here motivates me to push even further. Women are often underrepresented in various sectors, including the arts. This exhibition not only gives me a chance to showcase my work but also helps raise awareness and encourages more women to pursue art professionally,” she said.
Ibrahim Gabriel Pam, an art collector, painter, sculptor, and ceramist who runs an art gallery at the Jos National Museum, expressed his excitement about the initiative.
“I was thrilled when I heard SMOG was hosting this exhibition. It’s a much-needed platform for artists to share their work with the world. My pieces often reflect Plateau’s lush greenery and serene landscapes, and they carry themes of peace and calm—values that align with this program’s goal of fostering unity. I hope this exhibition grows even bigger next year,” he said.
SMOG is committed to mobilizing and empowering young people as agents of social transformation. The organization believes in promoting love, unity, and inclusivity, regardless of background, ethnicity, religion, or gender. Its programs focus on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, skill acquisition, and leadership training to drive sustainable and peaceful development.
For further enquiries about the event or placement of bids for the artworks contact: +2347047720223 or visit the Street Made of Gold website here.
Follow Street Made of Gold on Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, TikTok and Facebook for more updates leading up to the event this Sunday.
