FAIRHOPE, Ala. Nigeria’s ambassador of art, Ibiyinka Olufemi Alao,visited the Fairhope K-1 Center on Friday.

The 33-year-old artist spent the day teaching 12 classes of first-graders how to blend colors, how to make transitions using those colors and easy methods they can use to create their own masterpieces.

As a boy, Ibiyinka saw what many others didn’t. He viewed life in vibrant color and thought of color as a language in itself. This unique perspective enabled him to depict, in a clear and elaborate manner, what he otherwise had a hard time articulating. The blank surface soon became a vehicle for bringing his thoughts to life and giving his opinion a voice.

Among his many honors, Ibiyinka was the first-place winner of the prestigious United Nations International Art Competition amongst 61 countries. His entry, “Girls and a Greener Environment,” chronicles the life of a girl-child from infancy to adulthood, and the values she acquires along the paths of life. For more information, and to see examples of his work, visit www.ibiyinka.com.