Exhibitors at the Best of Me 2025, take off time for a group photo at the Makerere Art Gallery/Institute of Heritage Conservation, Friday 24th October, 2025.
From October 24th to 28th, 2025, the Makerere Art Gallery/Institute of Heritage Conservation and Restoration came alive with the vibrant energy of creativity and reflection as final-year Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Arts students (2022–2025), together with recent alumni, unveiled their culminating works in the “Best of Me” exhibition.
The exhibition brings together work from different departments of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art, namely Fine Art, Industrial Art and Applied Design and Visual Communications, with Innovation running through as the main theme.
Each piece on display reflected not only technical skill and aesthetic beauty but also the depth of thought and conceptual exploration behind its creation. From personal narratives to broader social themes, the artworks demonstrated how these emerging and established artists use their craft to tell compelling stories and engage with the world around them.
The “BEST OF ME” exhibition, an annual event at Makerere University Art Gallery, is primarily curated by third-year finalist students who select and present the finest of their project work. This showcase offers the public and continuing students a glimpse into the creative achievements nurtured within the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA). According to Ainomugisha Collins, a Master’s student in Textile and Design at MTSIFA, the exhibition not only celebrates artistic excellence but also highlights the diverse forms of art and their power to communicate pressing societal issues. Through visual storytelling, the artists demonstrate how creativity can raise awareness and inspire solutions to challenges faced in everyday life.
‘Most of the works here are diverse in format and discipline, including paintings, textiles, drawings, illustrations, and many more. Some of the works are inspired by the artists’ places of origin, their tribes, and culture, showcasing daily life in society, said Ainomugisha, while also urging the young artists to give their work time to make master pieces different from others.
Ainomugisha Collins, a Master’s student in Textile and Design at MTSIFA explains the concept behind his art work
He highlighted some of the challenges faced by young artists that include the attitudes towards art, where many people think it’s only about leisure, the materials used in art are very expensive, and people much as they love art, they rarely support it unless they have made it out there, hence the struggles.
The organizers explained that art brings out different ways of being and thinking that, in several respects, inform policy. We have several elements running through the works displayed, in mental health, climate change, gender, industrial art, how the art we create can be used in the creative industry, paintings, drawings, sculpture, visual communications and graphics, photography, and docu films.
Mr. Balaba Edward, a lecturer at the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art was one of the mentors
According to Mr. Balaba Edward, a lecturer at the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA), the “Best of Me” exhibition provides a vital platform for students to showcase their creative work. He emphasized that the integration of new media has played a significant role in extending the reach of the exhibition, allowing student artworks to be featured within surrounding communities. Mr. Balaba noted that the public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with community members expressing deep appreciation for the students’ artistic contributions. Speaking in his capacity as a mentor and faculty member, he highlighted the exhibition’s impact in bridging academic creativity with public engagement.
The unique collection, spanning an impressive array of course units, marked the end of an era and the beginning of countless artistic journeys. Each piece in the exhibition was a testament to the dedication, talent, and diverse skill set of remarkable students, who exhibited a mastery of the intricate arts of photography, painting, structural textile, applied textile, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, fashion design, illustration, communication design, and advertising design, weaving, and much more.
A section of the people who were at the exhibition listen attentively to the explanations by the artists
The exploration of the exhibition was an encounter with a vast spectrum of sizes, materials, and functionalities, each thoughtfully chosen to enhance the themes conveyed. The works delved into a rich tapestry of subjects, reflecting the depth and breadth of the artists’ inspirations and experiences. From the vibrant celebration of cultural heritage to the nuanced explorations of womanhood and parenthood, the artworks offered profound insights into education, play, health, climate action, mental health awareness, weather, social-economic development, justice, crime, politics, and urbanization.
“The Best of Me” was not just an exhibition; it was a narrative of passion, resilience, and the transformative power of art. It was a tribute to the students’ journey, encapsulating their growth, learning, and the exceptional creativity that they honed over the years.
PICTORIAL