Gulf Shores welcomes United Nations Art Ambassador Ibiyinka Alao to Cultural Center on November 9

Gulf Shores, Ala – The City of Gulf Shores is excited to welcome United Nations Art Ambassador Ibikyanka Olufemi Alao to the Cultural Center on Saturday, November 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. for his presentation of “My Fireflies, An Island Experience.” Locals and visitors are invited to join Ibi for a night of art, culture, storytelling and inspiration. Admission is free to the public.

Ibi is an artist, filmmaker and author who represented his country, Nigeria, and became the first place winner of the prestigious United Nations International Art Competition amongst 61 countries. Ibi’s works have received worldwide recognition and are currently on tour in the United States. His paintings have been exhibited at a broad list of countries and places, including The National Museum of Nigeria, the Harvard Business School, the Indianapolis Art Center, the Martin Luther King Art Center, the African Unity Festival, the Nigerian Consulate, the Nigerian Embassy, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Cultures, the New York University Brownstone Salon, the Queensborough Library International Resource Center, the United Nations headquarters, the World Bank headquarters, and the Empire State Building.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ibi back to Gulf Shores this year and give the public a chance to interact with him and be inspired by his passion and enthusiasm for art and creativity,” said Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the City of Gulf Shores. “In 2016, we had the privilege of hosting Ibi, and he instantaneously immersed himself into our community, giving our residents, visitors and local students the opportunity to engage in lively conversation surrounding all forms of art and feed off of his positive energy. We encourage everyone to come out and meet Ibi this year.”

Other public appearances by Ibi include:

 November 6
o St. Andrews by the Sea in Gulf Shores (17263 Fort Morgan Road)
o 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.

 November 9
o Gulf Shores Cultural Center (19470 Oak Road West)
o 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information on Ibi, please visit his website at https://ibiyinka.com/. For more information about his public appearances, please contact Yolanda Johnson at Yolanda.johnson@ua.edu or call 205-613-0001.