Exceptional Creative Awards & Art Exhibition 2026 Celebrates Everyday Stories and Creative Excellence in Derby

The Exceptional Creative Awards & Art Exhibition 2026, themed “PEOPLE AS I SEE THEM (Stories of Everyday People)”, opened to the public on 23 October 2026 at Chapel Street Arts Centre: Café Gallery, Derby, bringing together artists whose works explore identity, culture, emotions and the everyday human experience. 

Presented by Red19 in collaboration with Our Heritage UK and Perspective House Gallery, the exhibition celebrates creativity across different media and artistic approaches. Through painting, photography and other forms of visual expression, participating artists offer personal interpretations of the people we encounter, remember, celebrate and sometimes overlook. 

The exhibition features works by Abiola Moshood Badmus, Aderopo Afolabi, Apanisile Anuoluwapo Christianah, Babatunde Tobi Bello, Bolaji Oluwafemi, Bukola Abiodun, Chioma Olivia Ezeamama, Courage Nosakhare Muegbeyogho, David Adeife, Dennis Akintade, Fortune Ikemefuna, Gbolahan Olanipekun, Hameed Oladapo Jubril, Hammed Opeyemi Bello, Hamzat Olamide Keshinro, Immanuel Obani, Joshua Owolabi, Kingsley Kunle Omotayo, Ogungbile Peace Ayomide, Oluwadamilola Abidemi Oladapo, Oluwatosin Bakre, Omotoyosi Ogunlende, Osaro Kent Uwadiae, Taoheed Owolabi Oluwaseyi and Vivian Nnajiofor. 

The exhibition’s opening was followed by the Exceptional Creative Awards Ceremony on 24 October 2026, recognising creative practitioners for their originality, artistic excellence, storytelling and contributions to the creative community. 

The 2026 award recipients are: 

• Vivian Nnajiofor — Exceptional Creative of the Year Award 

• Ogungbile Peace Ayomide — Exceptional Visual Artist Award 

• Ibitoye Remilekun Adedayo — Exceptional Curator Award 

• Vivien Ekpiken — Exceptional Emerging Curator Award 

• Esosa Uwoghiren — Exceptional Literary Creative Award 

• Hamzat Olamide Keshinro — Exceptional Creative Impact Award 

• Hameed Oladapo Jubril — Exceptional Emerging Creative Award 

• Kingsley Kunle Omotayo — Exceptional Visual Artist Award 

 

Fortune Ikemefuna received the People’s Choice Award following public voting, recognising the connection his work established with audiences. Damilola Aderonke Oyekunle was also awarded the £100 Arts Commission Grant, supporting the development of further creative work. 

The awards were assessed by a jury comprising Iramofu Oseh, Adeola Peters and Mercy Odukogbe, with Obasola Bamigbola serving as Lead Juror. The panel brought together different creative perspectives to recognise artistic originality, execution, interpretation and creative achievement. 

 

The exhibition was curated by the Red19 team, led by Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni, Banks Mill affiliate and Lead Curator, alongside co-curators Olalekan Adetunji, Ezekiel Ogundipe and Oluwatimilehin Osho. 

Through their collective curatorial approach, the team has created a space where individual artistic voices meet, encouraging visitors to reflect on how people, personal histories and shared experiences shape our understanding of the world. 

Beyond the awards, the exhibition reflects Red19’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for creatives, increasing artistic visibility and connecting artists with new audiences. 

The exhibition remains open to the public until Friday, 30 October 2026, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with the artworks and discover the stories behind them. 

Art enthusiasts, collectors, creatives and members of the wider community are warmly invited to experience People As I See Them at Chapel Street Arts Centre: Café Gallery, 19 Chapel Street, Derby, DE1 3GU. 

Exhibition: 23–30 October 2026
Venue: Chapel Street Arts Centre: Café Gallery, Derby
Organiser: Red19 Global and Red19 Creatives
Collaborators: Our Heritage UK and Perspective House Gallery 

Further information: www.red19global.com 

  

Kikelomo also presents The Posture of Marriage: Solo Photography Exhibition in Derby 

Photographer and curator Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni is currently presenting her solo exhibition, The Posture of Marriage, at Chapel Street Arts Centre: Café Gallery in Derby.

The exhibition, which opened on 23 October and runs until 30 October 2026, presents a body of work created in September 2026 as a photographic study of unity through the changing seasons of marriage. Through a series of composite photographs, Solomon-Ayeni reflects on how relationships can move through moments of closeness, difference, vulnerability, support and distance while still holding onto meaningful points of connection.

At the heart of the exhibition is the use of spring, summer, autumn and winter as metaphors for the different seasons a marriage may experience. Spring represents periods of growth and newness, while summer reflects warmth, intimacy and abundance. Autumn speaks to seasons of change and transition, and winter represents the more difficult periods when a relationship may feel distant, bare or uncertain. Through these metaphors, the artist suggests that just as seasons change in life, a difficult season in marriage does not necessarily define its entire story.

Drawing partly from personal experience, Solomon-Ayeni approaches marriage not as a picture of constant happiness or perfection, but as a relationship that evolves through different circumstances. Central to the exhibition is the idea of preserving a healthy point of unity even when other aspects of the relationship are being tested.

Now in its fourth day, The Posture of Marriage invites audiences to reflect on marriage beyond its happiest moments and consider the quieter expressions of love, support, patience and unity that can remain as two people navigate life together.

The Posture of Marriage continues at Chapel Street Arts Centre: Café Gallery, 19 Chapel Street, Derby, DE1 3GU, until 30 October 2026.