• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An art exhibition for a cause, featuring the artworks of local artists from the cities of Bacolod and Sipalay, and the municipality of Cauayan in Negros Occidental, opened at Araw Café, 10th-Lacson streets, Bacolod City Saturday.
Titled “Exploring Art and Wildlife”, the exhibition showcases the works of members of the Artisticrew, a local group of artists from Bacolod City, as well as those of young aspiring artists from the Sigahum Visual Artists Association of Sipalay City, and the Brgy. Bulata Artist Group (BBAG) from Cauayan.
The artworks are a result of a workshop conducted at Danjugan Island, Cauayan from March 11 to 13, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in the Philippines, with the hope of transforming today’s youth to become tomorrow’s conservationists, especially in the regeneration of forests and coral reefs.
Fifty percent of the proceeds of the artworks will go to Danjugan Island, a 43-hectare island in Cauayan under the care of The Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI), which aims to promote awareness on biodiversity protection by means of ecotourism.
PRRCFI president Gerry Ledesma recalled having conducted years ago an “Art for Conservation” event in Danjugan involving members of the Black Artists of Asia (BAA) with prominent Negrense visual artists like Charlie Co, Nunelucio Alvarado, and Raymund Legaspi, among others, to inspire them on the importance of marine conservation, which he said needs the collaboration of many sectors.
Kaila Trebol, owner of Araw Café at Tippy’s Bistro, said the gathering of artists is just a dry run for the upcoming 30th anniversary of PRRCFI in August. She added that one does not need to be a scientist to be a conservationist.
Terrence Dacles, co-owner of Tippy’s Bistro, said he is happy to have artists from southern Negros exhibit in their gallery as they usually host exhibits of those from Bacolod or northern Negros.
Dacles said they hope that the artists’ works will also be promoted at the Negros Trade Fair in Manila, as Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is a supporter of the arts.
The exhibit, which opened during Earth Month, which is celebrated in April, and will run until the end of June, celebrated as Environment Month, was also attended by Kagawad Lloyd Kevin Guanzon of Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, and other officers of the PRRCFI as guests of honor.*
