Restoration of New Sacred Art in the Groves ad Training the Next Generation

The AOTF has carried out 18 major art restoration projects in the Sacred Groves between 2007 and 2022, including 12 major Shrines and monuments, 1500 meters of decorative walls and over 50
sculptures. Most of the work was carried out under the direction of Sangodare Ajala, Susanne Wegner’s adopted son, the original members of the New Sacred Art Movement, new apprentices and local artisans. Now a fully trained, young Restoration Team led by Nurudeen Adebisi and Toyin
Ajayi carry out this important work.

Susanne Wenger House and Art Shop

The Adunni Olorisha Trust-Adunni Osun Foundation (AOTF) is the custodian of Susanne’s house in Osogbo where her adopted daughter, Priestess Doyin Faniyi still lives and continue her mother’s
tradition of opening the house to visitors. People can view Susanne Wenger’s vast personal collection of New Sacred Art, learn more about the history of the Movement and Yoruba traditions, and visit the co-operative Art Shop in the house where art by the New Sacred Art Movement can be
purchased. The restoration of this house is a major undertaking and objective of the AOTF.

Books, Films, Exhibitions, Research

The AOTF published the book: Susanne Wenger: Her House and Her Art Collection and provided assistance to filmmakers making four documentary films. Members of the AOT assisted Susanne and published her book: The Sacred Groves of Osogbo.  The AOTF has also hosted exhibitions of New Sacred Art in Lagos. We encourage and assist scholars who wish to do research about Yoruba heritage and the role of Susanne Wenger and the New Sacred Art Movement.

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Digital Documentation

Recruited and encouraged by the AOTF, CyArk, a leading American NGO that documents historic sites around the world, created 3D models of 4 major Shrines. CyArk also was funded by the USA Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation to digitally document and to develop a comprehensive flood mitigation plan for Busanyin Shrine which was severely damaged by flooding. With this work the AOTF hopes it can raise the funds to rebuild this Shrine.
The AOTF also is working with Google Arts and Culture to tell virtual stories about the Groves and the New Sacred Art Movement on the GAC digital platform.

Promotion, Tourism, Lectures, Distribution

The AOTF runs guided trips to Osogbo and assists people to plan their own excursions. We organize lectures and promote Osogbo widely through social media.  We assist with the distribution of books, films and other documentation within Nigeria and internationally.

In Partnership with Institutions that Support Our Goals

The AOTF works in collaboration with organizations and individuals that support our goal including the Ataoja of Osogboland, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Osun State Government, the Susanne Wenger Foundation (Austria), CyArk (USA), Iwalewahaus of Bayreuth University (Germany), Harvard University (USA), and the Smithsonian Museum of African Art (USA).