Nigerian visual artist and creative health practitioner Olubunmi Elizabeth Ebisemiju, popularly known as Elinth Arts, has represented Nigeria at the Kent Arts Conference 2026 in the United Kingdom, highlighting the country’s growing influence in the global creative economy.
Ebisemiju, founder of Creative Health, Arts and Culture CIC (CHAC CIC), a UK-based community interest company supporting more than 1,000 creatives, was invited as a featured speaker at the international conference.
She delivered a presentation and workshop titled, “Visual Art Therapy: Fragments to Wholeness – Activating Emotional Integration Through Guided Mark-Making,” where she explored the role of visual art in promoting emotional healing, mental wellbeing and personal development.
Her participation underscored the increasing recognition of Nigerian creative professionals contributing to the United Kingdom’s arts and cultural sector through innovation, research and artistic practice.
Speaking after the conference, Ebisemiju described the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility.
“Representing Nigeria on an international stage is deeply meaningful to me. Every opportunity to share my work across the UK is also an opportunity to showcase the creativity, resilience and intellectual contributions that Nigerians continue to make globally,” she said.
She added, “I am proud to be contributing to the UK’s arts and culture sector while remaining rooted in my Nigerian identity. More importantly, I stand on the truth that ART WORKS!”
According to organisers and participants, her workshop received positive feedback for demonstrating how visual art therapy can support emotional restoration, inclusion and community wellbeing.
Ebisemiju’s appearance at the conference reflects the growing role of Nigerian professionals in advancing conversations around the intersection of creativity, healthcare and community development.
Her work also strengthens cultural exchange between Nigeria and the United Kingdom by promoting the therapeutic value of art and encouraging wider access to creative health initiatives.
Beyond her individual achievement, observers said her growing presence within the UK’s creative ecosystem mirrors the expanding global footprint of Nigerian artists, researchers and cultural practitioners, who continue to influence international institutions, festivals and creative discourse.
They noted that such achievements reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading exporters of creative talent while inspiring a new generation of creatives to pursue global opportunities.
Ebisemiju continues to champion creativity as a tool for healing and social impact while building platforms that support the growth and development of emerging artists across the creative sector.
