Ceracerni ArtHub at a glance
Ceracerni ArtHub is a contemporary art gallery and creative-workshop space in Lekki Phase 1, on the Lekki Peninsula in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State. It is part of a growing cluster of independent art spaces that have established themselves on the peninsula over the last decade, alongside Nike Art Gallery, Terra Kulture, and the older Mainland institutions like the National Museum.
Ceracerni combines three things under one roof: a rotating exhibition programme featuring emerging and mid-career Nigerian artists, an open studio and residency space for working artists, and a curated retail gallery where visitors can buy prints, sculpture, and original work. The hub also hosts workshops, artist talks, panel discussions, and occasional film screenings — making it a meeting point as much as a gallery.
What you'll see — exhibitions, residencies, workshops
The exhibition programme rotates every few weeks. Recent and recurring themes include contemporary Nigerian painting, mixed-media installation, photography exploring urban identity, ceramics and craft, and themed group shows curated around specific ideas — gender, the African diaspora, post-colonial memory, contemporary urbanism, and the environment. Solo shows for individual artists alternate with curated group exhibitions.
The residency programme hosts visiting artists — both Nigerian and international — for two-to-six week residencies. Residency artists work in the hub's studio space and typically present a small showing or open studio session at the end of the residency. The programme has hosted artists from across West Africa, the broader African continent, and the international diaspora.
Workshops and short courses run on a rotating schedule: weekend drawing classes, beginners' printmaking, photography fundamentals, art history lectures, and occasional intensive masterclasses with visiting artists. Most workshops are open to the public for a fee. Children's art programmes run during school holidays.
The space and its layout
Ceracerni is laid out as an integrated complex with several distinct zones. The main gallery handles the rotating exhibition programme and is the first space visitors typically enter. A second smaller gallery hosts the artist residency showings and the retail/print room. The open studio is visible through a glass partition, with current resident artists working at their stations. A small café and event space at the back hosts artist talks, panel discussions, book launches, and casual visitor lounging.
The visual identity is clean and contemporary: white walls, polished concrete floors, careful lighting, and minimal signage. The architecture supports the art rather than competing with it. Outdoor courtyard space hosts sculpture installations and occasional outdoor events.
Opening hours and admission
Ceracerni typically opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with Sunday afternoon hours from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The hub is generally closed on Mondays. Hours may extend for opening nights of new exhibitions and during workshop sessions — check the latest schedule via the hub's official channels.
Walk-in admission to the main gallery is typically free or by donation. Workshop sessions, ticketed lectures, and special events carry their own fees, which range from approximately ₦5,000 for short workshops to higher rates for intensive masterclasses with featured artists. Opening nights for new exhibitions are usually free and open to the public — they're a good first-visit window for newcomers.
How to get to Ceracerni ArtHub
Ceracerni is in Lekki Phase 1, on the Lekki Peninsula. From Victoria Island: drive across the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, then onto Admiralty Way and into Lekki Phase 1's residential grid. The hub is signposted from the main roads. Drive time from VI is typically 15–30 minutes depending on bridge traffic.
From the Mainland (Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere): take the Third Mainland Bridge to the Lagos Island/Lekki exit, then onto the Lekki–Epe Expressway. Allow 60–90 minutes from Ikeja in evening traffic. By public transport: BRT or Danfo to CMS or Obalende, then a Danfo onto Lekki Phase 1. Ride-hail (Bolt, Uber) door-to-door from Victoria Island typically costs ₦1,500–₦3,500. Plan with the trip planner.
Parking on the Lekki Phase 1 residential streets is typically available; the hub itself has limited dedicated parking, so peak-time visits can require a short walk from a nearby street.
Buying art at Ceracerni
The retail gallery at Ceracerni stocks original work by the artists currently exhibiting plus a rotating selection of prints, smaller sculptures, photography editions, and works on paper. Original paintings and major sculptures are priced individually and typically range from ₦200,000 to several million Naira depending on the artist's career stage, the work's scale, and its provenance. Prints and smaller editions are accessibly priced from approximately ₦15,000 to ₦150,000.
Most works can be reserved with a deposit and collected after the exhibition closes. Shipping arrangements for international buyers are coordinated by the hub. Authentication certificates and provenance documentation are standard for original work.
For first-time buyers, the hub's curators are happy to walk visitors through what's on offer, the artists' biographies, and the rationale for current pricing. Building a small Nigerian contemporary art collection often starts with a single thoughtful purchase from an emerging artist — Ceracerni is one of the better places in Lagos to make that first step.
Practical tips for first-time visitors
- Check the current exhibition before visiting — the rotating programme means what's on the walls today may not be what's on next month.
- Allow 60–90 minutes for a first visit if you want to look at the work seriously rather than just walk through.
- Cameras allowed for personal photography in most spaces; some specific exhibitions may restrict photography. Ask if uncertain.
- Café visits. The café area is a good place to sit with a drink and reflect on what you've seen, or to meet someone before or after a workshop.
- Children welcome in the main gallery; supervise them in the retail and sculpture areas.
- Opening nights are the most social visit — expect crowds, drinks, and the artists themselves typically present.
- Cash and card. The retail gallery accepts both. Workshop bookings are typically prepaid online.
Other art and culture stops in Lekki
The Lekki Peninsula has built up a substantial concentration of art and cultural venues. Worth combining with a Ceracerni visit:
- Nike Art Gallery in Lekki Phase 1 — five floors of African art, established by the artist Chief Nike Okundaye.
- Terra Kulture in Victoria Island — gallery, theatre, and Nigerian cuisine.
- Lekki Arts & Crafts Market — open-air market for African art, fabric, and craft items.
- Lekki Conservation Centre — Africa's longest canopy walkway with primate and bird observation; not strictly an art stop but a good complementary visit.
- African Artists' Foundation events and pop-up exhibitions across the peninsula — check current programme.
For the broader Lagos art and culture circuit, browse Lagos landmarks and restaurants directory.