This exhibit addressed dual themes of heritage and traditions in transition.  One of the main goals of this exhibit was to emphasize the diversity of artistic expression between philosophical and religious traditions of Nigeria.  The heritage of Nigeria draws from African traditions but was also strongly influenced by Islam and Christian missionaries, as well as a period of British colonial rule.  Much of the artwork included in the show was traditional while others clearly demonstrated the assimilation of technology and Western influences.  

The variety of customs and language among the 250 ethnic groups gives Nigeria a remarkable cultural heterogeneity.  Three of the major ethnic groups are the Hausa-Fulani, Ibo, and Yoruba.  Included in the exhibition were not only artworks from these three major ethnic groups, but also artworks from many of the other ethnic within Nigeria.  All of the traditions which together make up the arts and crafts of Nigeria do not function alone.  The concept of African art is a communal one as compared with Western art, art works reflect part of peoples lives, what they use, wear, and live with.  Artworks were displayed in categories including textiles, royal lineage items, masks and masking, crafts, and twins.

Textiles: The principle dye for textiles in Nigeria is indigo.  Plants containing indican, a sugar and indigo compound, are cultivated throughout the country.  Weaving is both a male and female occupation.  Cloth woven in narrow strips is done primarily by men sitting at horizontal looms, while women use vertical looms to produce wider rectangles of cloth.  

Royal Lineage: In the traditional religion, ancestors are worshipped by the living.  This is especially true for ancestors of the founding family from whom the chieftain or king is chosen.  Through the power of his ancestors the king becomes answerable for the health of the land and the people.  To emphasize his authority the king wears splendid robes, special headdresses and is surrounded by symbols of power.

Masks and Masking: Masks are used at set annual festivals, they provide drama at funerals, act as a police force assuring that rules are obeyed, and in modern times can help a campaign for political candidates or simply amuse the crowds.  

Crafts: Decorative designs and colors are invested with important meanings.  In modern cities craftsmen have become individual entrepreneurs or belong to craft guilds and work together in compounds.

Twins:  The birth of twins is seen as a supernatural event which requires special precautions.  In the different Yoruba areas, twin figures, called Ibeji, are ritually fed to replace a twin who died in infancy or to assure the birth of healthy babies in the future.  The concept of twins also suggests the duality of nature, men and women, day and night, wet and dry seasons.  This is seen in the frequent appearance of masks in pairs.  

Modern artists included in the exhibition are H. Agbodrafo and Michael Ayodele.