The Art of Beginning Again: The story of how Artville Co found its rhythm
When Artville Co first came to life in 2020, the world was still, and creativity was restless. Between lockdown conversations and quiet reflections, three friends; an aviation expert, an environmentalist chef, and a tech specialist, began to ask one another questions that would eventually change everything.
Why isn’t there a proper digital home for African art? Why must discovery feel so distant from its creators? What if art, and the people who make it, could be seen differently; by us, for us?
Those conversations became blueprints. The ideas scribbled on golf scorecards and late-night notes slowly formed a vision: a digital space dedicated to celebrating African creativity through art, paintings, sculptures, photography, metalwork, and crafts.
A space that would connect collectors with culture, while helping artists find visibility in a world finally paying attention to African voices.
Learning, listening, testing
Starting Artville Co wasn’t glamorous. It was research, lots of it, weeks spent studying art marketplaces, comparing artist onboarding systems, and reading about how global platforms like Artsy, Saatchi, and The Artling built sustainable ecosystems for their creatives.
It was also conversations, long ones, with local artists, curators, and collectors across Nigeria. Each discussion revealed something new: the gaps, the possibilities, and most importantly, the need for a space that didn’t just sell art but understood it.
There were artist visits across Abuja, studio tours that turned into lessons in perspective. There were moments of trial and error, engaging best practices of how best to photograph artworks for a digital audience, experimenting with light and texture, sometimes using improvised setups to make sure every piece could be showcased at its best. There were days when materials were scarce, frames delayed, and ideas reworked on the spot. But through every challenge, the commitment to “start with what we have” stayed constant.
The first show: Art and Ability
That determination led to the first physical moment for Artville, Art & Ability: Finding Expression Through Art. The exhibition wasn’t just an event; it was a statement. It brought together artists with diverse backgrounds and abilities, proving that creativity has no boundaries. Guests didn’t just view art, they engaged with it. They listened to artists and curators unpack their processes and inspirations. The air was filled with conversations that bridged generations, mediums, and perspectives.
It was the kind of event that reminded everyone why Artville mattered. But soon after, life, as it does, demanded a pause. The founding members returned to full-time careers, and Artville went quiet for a while.
The pause and the rebirth
The silence wasn’t failure, it was gestation. Over time, new collaborators joined: consultants, curators, and digital strategists who shared the same dream of building something that could last. Together, they began rethinking what Artville could be in a world now reshaped by digital connection.
The relaunch planning was meticulous. It meant revisiting every aspect of the brand, from how artists are selected to how artworks are displayed online. There were endless brainstorming sessions, UX discussions, and late-night calls. There were moments of hesitation, to questions about direction, capacity, and consistency. But with every doubt came more clarity.
The mission became sharper: to not only sell art but to deepen understanding of it. To respect the evolution of African art from the tactile strokes of traditional painting to the immersive world of digital creation. To connect audiences not just to products, but to stories, processes, and people.
BTS: Behind the screen
Today, the scenes behind the Artville website are a beautiful mix of art and grit.
Photographers capturing artworks with improvised setups; curators reviewing portfolios over coffee; team members editing artist bios and refining descriptions to match the tone and truth of each piece. Every upload, every caption, every conversation carries a piece of the collective effort it takes to make African art seen and valued.
The work continues through curated online exhibitions, artist features, and content that unpacks the ideas behind the art. Artville’s team spends as much time in studios and communities as they do behind screens, ensuring that every collection feels authentic, grounded, and alive.
What now, what next?
Artville Co’s relaunch is about rebuilding a rhythm. One that’s steady, consistent, and true to the reason it began.
The future includes a series of artist management initiatives, educational articles, podcast conversations, and pop-up art experiences designed to blur the line between digital and physical art engagement. The ultimate dream? A creative hub where young artists can gather, experiment, and find belonging.
Because Artville was never just about art sales. It was, and still is, about creating connection.
It’s about showing that you don’t need perfect conditions to begin.
That every great work, every stroke, sculpture, and story starts somewhere, often humbly, but always with purpose.
And that’s exactly how Artville began.
And how it continues.