One of the best stops during the recent staging of “Gabii sa Kabilin” was the Alternative Contemporary Art Studio of the Sacred Heart Parish along D. Jakosalem Street.
In cooperation with Cebu Artists Inc., Alternative Contempo Art Studio came up with a one-night-only “Art Fair” on May 27 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Social Hall of the parish to literally add more color to the celebration of International Museum Day and Philippine National Heritage Month of May.
The Art Fair aimed at bringing art closer to more people, enhancing art appreciation among a wider base of Cebuanos.
It was also a celebration of camaraderie and “solidarity in diversity” among the many Cebuano artists. Exhibiting artists were encouraged to price their artwork at no more than P10,000; thus, assuring a night of opportunities for young collectors, as well.
Participating groups include:
•ACADEMY ARTISTS. A conglomeration of artists and enthusiasts who regard art as a lifetime vocation. Academy Artists is composed of individuals who had been associated with the Cebu Academy of the Arts – a school established by the Kolor Sugbu in 1999. Kolor Sugbu members who spearheaded the Academy’s annual art workshops, the then would-be artists whose talents they had nurtured and developed, some Bachelor of Fine Arts (painting major) of the University of San Carlos and a few artists from neighboring islands have, after years of loose association, formally founded this new umbrella. They maintain and operate a gallery cum studio at Aloha Apartelle Bldg., Gen. Echavez St.
· CEBU ART ASSOCIATION. With great pride as the oldest art association in the country, Cebu Art Association has unceasingly been active in the art world with its continuing effort to organize exhibits in Cebu City. Founded by the late Julian N. Jumalon in 1936, the group boasts of an ever-growing membership every year. It is composed mostly of representational artists, though there are members who are following a contemporary artistic expression. The group is presently headed by Jess Najaro.
•CEBU ARTISTS, INC. With the dream of a more self-reliant Cebuano artist, with more opportunities through linkages with local, national and international communities, a small but committed group of artists formed Cebu Artists, Inc. in late 1993. With this in view, CAI was among the first to open a virtual online gallery when the technology became available. It has kept its vision alive, organizing art activities, sometimes working with other art groups. It holds exhibitions not only in the city, but also in to the countryside, visiting different municipalities in Cebu province to help awaken art awareness. Today, CAI continues to weld oneness with those who provide them the opportunity to grow, explore and delve into the essence of their art. They are grateful for the unstinting support of collectors and individual, as well as corporate patrons.
•NUEVES ARTISTS. Inspired by their sense of camaraderie and united by the same love and passion towards their art, Nueves Artists was formally organized in 2010. This group of nine dedicated artists meets every Thursday — mostly at the residence of its founder, Louie King in Tisa, Labangon. Their group endeavors are primarily geared towards honing the artistic ability of its members — finding means for them to grow not only in their art but also in other aspects of life that truly contribute to their total development.
•PUSOD. The Open Organization of Cebu Visual Arts, Inc. was formally launched in December 1997 with 27 artists from UP Cebu Fine Arts Program signing on as founding members. It was named after the Visayan word for “navel” to symbolize the location of the group, as Cebu is at the center of the country geographically. The organization is open to all practicing and student artists, as well as artists in allied fields who are willing to contribute to the formation of an artistic praxis that will deal with cultural or artistic production in the face of techno-cultural flux. Pusod believes that in this new century, the challenges facing artists in their communities call for a response that is democratically collective as well as personal, allowing them full and mature expression through free and voluntary organizations such as Pusod.
•TUSLOB BUWA. A group of Cebuano painters dedicated to uphold and promote the importance of contemporary art in the Cebu art scene. Most of their members are multi-talented. They paint and sculpt at the same time. They organize exhibits that somehow encourage the viewers to look at art from a different dimension. The group was founded by Jojo Sagayno, Ritchie Quijano and Evan Bejec.
•WAWART GROUP. Named after the Cebuano slang word for “no money”, the group aims to restore wit and irony in contemporary Cebuano art. A newly reenergized group, it continues to search for something new and substantial in artistic expression. Radel Paredes and Josua Cabrera are responsible for making the group vibrant and innovative.
•SAMBOAN GROUP. A group of people laden with rich artistic talent, they have one thing in common: the will to develop their artistry beyond the boundaries dictated by living in their beloved rural town of Samboan. Most of them work in an export company while continuing to pursue their passion for art. Ably encouraged and supported by Benjie Goyha and a few members of CAI, Samboan group has been very active in organizing exhibits in their town and in neighboring places.
·YOUNG AT ART. An initiative by active students from the Department of Fine Arts at University of the Philippines Cebu College. Though busy with their university requirements, they endeavor to promote and develop their budding artistic expression by joining exhibits here in Cebu, as well as in other places in the country.
•JUNKS COLLECTIVE. A group that promotes art utilizing recyclable materials; also referred to as thrash art (specific sub-genre of found art).
•PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP. Though not formally organized yet, the Photography Group is an initiative of a few camera buffs who wanted to help promote photography as an art form. They seek to make use of their expertise in this field to make photos that are not merely advertising tools but also to create pictures that are truly artistic. To realize their objectives, they have joined some art exhibitions in Cebu City, organized by different art groups of different disciplines. The group initiative was spearheaded by Joseph Ong, Gil Maningo, Dr. Cris Dy, Dr. Jorgen Lim, Fr. Nick Sagnoy, Victor Gocela, Paolo Tallo, and Dong Secuya.
•PERFORMANCE ART by Russ Ligtas. Russ is not only a certified painter but is also very active in the promotion of Performance Art in the city. As a passionate artist, he continually seeks to discover and innovate on his ideas thus giving credence to the importance of Performance Art. He frequently gets invited to perform in many gatherings in the city.
•INDEPENDENT ARTISTS. This is a group of active artists who have opted to practice their art independently, choosing not to formally affiliate themselves with any art group. From time to time, some of them get invited to join exhibits organized by other art groups. Artist like Jose Mari Picornell, Bart “Boy” Kiamco, and Mar Vidal are but a few of them, who while practicing their art with much enthusiasm, continue to hone and promote their art individually.
The “Art Fair” culminated with an interactive work by the participating artists.