http://atoarinze.net/About-the-artist.php Ato Arinze as he is popularly known is a reputable Sculptor and a Potter. Ato is not just a sculptor and a potter, but one with a difference, who does his work with a great sense of Commitment and sincerity. He is a natural Teacher and a Leader, one who derives satisfaction from the joy of others, someone who gets pleasure from raising and building young artists to become proud of what they do. Apart from art, he finds happiness helping young ones grow mentally, physically and in other areas of life. A good natured humanitarian, a realist who gain satisfaction by self sacrifice, one who sees art as a gift of life to those who have and knows for those who do not have and knows not. An artist proud of what he is. He likes reading, cooking and walking. Ato has been a full time studio artist since 1991, practising as a sculptor and a potter with special interest in portraits sculptures, and statues. his grasp for forms, attest to his skills particularly in handling figural sculptures. Born in Mushin, Lagos in the mid 60’s, hails from Onistha in Anambra state. He attended Afolabi Primary Institute Oshodi Lagos between 1972-1978, then Zixton Secondary School Ozobulu in 1978-1983 Anambra State, then began his professional training in Federal Polytechnic Oko in 1986 where he obtained the Ordinary National Diploma under the tutelage of Chike Ebebe.The Ceramist an Potter of the Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artist. he completed his higher education at Yaba College of Technology between 1989 and 1991 and major in Sculpture. Ato have participated in many group exhibitions within and outside the Nigeria, with many sculpture commissions to his credit, such as the Bust of the first president of Nigeria Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe which he executed in the year 2000, a collaborative project with Chike Oyeka at his studio in Onitsha. He was a recipient of the Solidra Award for Sculpture and Pottery in 2002 and in 2008 was awarded the Society Nigerian Artists (Lagos State Chapter) Distinguished Artist Award