DEPARTMENT OF FINE AND APPLIED ARTS

The pursuance and attainment of knowledge, which is an essential aspect of living is more
effectual when carried out under a comfortable and suitable environment. A studio being the
private workshop of an artist, when lacking the needed facilities and apparatus of learning, could
generally impede creativity and artistry.
This project was carried out by the 400 level 2020/2021 graduating students in the Textile
Section in the Department of Fine and Applied Art in the University of Benin. This was
embarked upon basically to tackle the problems of inadequate working facilities such as furniture
and electrical fittings in the textile studio.
It is a communal effort geared towards actualizing and leaving a legacy for the University which
has been noted for training artists for decades and it is expected that the final outcome will help
engage and explore present and future students’ creative abilities and potentials

The Graphic Design Studio is a standard workspace where all digital works are carried out effectively. However, this report shows that, unlike the Graphic Design Studio, a graphics workshop is very important for executing all manual jobs without causing chaos in the space. A personal study has shown that the Graphic Design studios were not configured for manual
jobs hence the need for a studio workshop. Therefore, the practical project aims to craft a Workshop studio in the Graphic Design Section of the Fine and Art Department, University of Benin. It is on this premise, therefore, that the 2022/2023 graphic design section students decided to take up the challenge of crafting a workshop studio to proffer a solution to the
issues of insufficient space, lack of appropriate tools, undermined creativity, inefficiency in carrying out practical works and procrastination of assignments. Through the crafting of a conducive and spacious workshop, all kinds of practical works can be done, ranging from of cutting of stencils to splashing of colors, dabbing of inks, framing of artworks, and so on. With the provision of workshop materials such as metal stools, wooden tables, metal tables, drawing tables, ceiling fans, electrical fittings, light box, metal windows, reinforcements and doors, it is expected that with these facilities put in place, the workshop will inspire present and future Graphic Design students to express and explore their inner creativity.

This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing locally sourced flint, borax, kaolin and other suitable glaze raw materials in Edo State for the production of low-melting glazes. Consequently, sourcing and utilization of glaze suitable raw materials for formulation of low melting glaze at studio level has been problematic despite the significant role of glaze in ceramic production, scarcity and development of local glaze for use including dependance on imported glaze raw materials for glaze formulation have created the inability to glaze ceramic products in the ceramic unit of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts in the University of Benin. Effort was made with this study to bridge the foregoing goal by identifying and sourcing flint, borax, kaolin and other suitable glaze raw materials locally to formulate low melting glaze of 1050°c. The raw materials were characterized and formulated into glaze compositions. The glazes compositions were then applied to ceramic test tiles and were fired to different temperatures. The results show that the locally sourced raw materials can be used to produce low-melting glazes with desirable properties. The study demonstrates the potential for local sourcing and utilization of raw materials in Edo State, promoting Economic Development, Sustainability, and Innovation in the ceramic industries in Nigeria.