Expressions of HOPE successfuly teamed up in October 2009 with Access Bank of Nigeria in the implementartion of their corporate social responsibility initiative entitled 'Mirror the Master'. This is a children's art exhibition campaign that is touring four major art regions of Nigeria. It began in Osogbo on 14 October and moved to Benin on 26 October. See full details here.

The children were thrilled about the campaign and participated in an exciting coctail of culture, art and creative writing. A number of children participated in discussions exploring the meaning of HOPE. Footage will be used in producing the documantary - Living the HOPE.

In Osogbo, we visited king Oba Oyematonmi, the Atauja of Osogbo where children learned about ancient Osun culture. We then visited world renowned artist chief Jimoh Buraimoh's Heritage art gallery and the UNESCO world heritage site - Osun Grove. The main art workshops were then held for two days at the Nike Centre for Arts and Culture.

In Benin, we visited the Palace of the Oba of Benin where the Oba gave us audience and discussed issues of Benin culture with the children who asked him a number of questions. We then visited the National Museum and attended an artisans workshop at Igun Street, famous for casting bronzework in a process dating back over a thousand years. There is a focus on the Benin bronzes, subject of The Crown Affair, a Kambani produced documentary which tells the story of one man's 11 year challenge of British Museum copyright in respect of the famous Queen Idia mask.

The main art workshops were held at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Complex.