By SN24.com 
By Peter Akpah.
Jos, Plateau State – The week‑long Enchanting Plateau Exhibition 2025 drew to a close at Odilins Event Center, uniting artists, cultural leaders, government officials and industry stakeholders to celebrate a landmark year for Plateau State’s creative sector. The event showcased exceptional talent across visual arts and underscored the state’s growing influence within Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
Jury leader Dr. Jacob Enemona Onoja described the exhibition as the first of its kind in Plateau State, commending its structure and the high calibre of entries. He urged participants to refine their finishing, scale and overall artistic depth in preparation for future competitions. Dr. Onoja outlined the evaluation criteria—artistic ingenuity, relevance to the theme “One,” technical proficiency, artist statements and finishing—explaining that multiple assessment rounds covered painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, textiles and photography. He encouraged more creators to enter next year, noting that the ₦500,000 prize per category should inspire higher artistic standards.
Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Cornelius Doeyok, represented Governor Caleb Mutfwang and hailed the exhibition as a landmark cultural achievement. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to converting artistic talent into economic value, stating that the artworks displayed rival pieces found in global art hubs such as Paris, Morocco and the United States. Doeyok emphasized that Plateau possesses a cultural heritage “beyond measure” and argued that events like this reclaim the state’s identity from global distractions. He promised a larger, more ambitious edition in 2026 to project Plateau’s creative excellence beyond its borders.
Dr. Ephraim Dankyes, Director‑General of the Plateau State Council for Arts and Culture, praised convener David Thomas for conceiving the Enchanting Plateau initiative and for its role in bridging gaps in artistic interconnectedness. He also commended Dr. Knoepke’s longstanding exhibition efforts. Dankyes said the event celebrates unity, creativity and the rediscovery of long‑hidden talents, expressing confidence that future editions will attract wider national participation and further elevate Plateau’s cultural identity.
Virtual art competition winner Vikala Sati, who placed first in her category, shared her joy at the achievement. Her winning piece, _Plateau Convergence_, merges cultural symbols and landmarks to illustrate the exhibition’s theme of oneness and the beauty that emerges when diverse communities coexist peacefully.
In his closing remarks, convener David Thomas thanked dignitaries, government partners and the artists for their support. He reiterated that Enchanting Plateau aims to ensure creatives are seen, heard and appreciated without leaving the state. Thomas celebrated the progress made in just one year and affirmed that the 2026 edition will be bigger, bolder and more globally oriented, thanking Governor Mutfwang for his unwavering support and declaring that “the world is waiting for Plateau’s talent.”
The Enchanting Plateau Exhibition 2025 concluded as a powerful testament to the state’s cultural richness, artistic excellence and collective determination to build a thriving creative economy. With strong endorsements from officials, cultural leaders and artists, the event set a new benchmark for artistic expression in Plateau State and positioned the region for greater national and international recognition. Preparations for the 2026 edition are already underway, and stakeholders remain optimistic that the next chapter will be more inclusive, expansive and impactful, propelling Plateau’s creatives onto the world stage.