Buy local. Buy local art. It’s a win-win situation. You don’t only get to acquire a beautiful piece that can uplift your spirit but you help cultivate the local art scene, too.
If you don’t own one yet now is the perfect time to jumpstart a collection. For the past year, the local artists have been consistent in exhibiting their “obras” in high-foot traffic areas like the malls. A couple of exhibits must have caught your attention and there are several others scheduled in the coming months.
Art shows boost the creativity of the artists. It gets their pieces out there, earns them the audience, gains a following and urges them to create more. It’s a cycle.
The recent Art Hunt event presented a number of treasure chests filled with artworks presented by different art groups and galleries. Art aficionados and buyers also got to mingle and got to know the artists in a relaxed surrounding. Perhaps there are those, like me, who went with no intention of buying anything, but left the place with one or two artworks on hand. I exited the event with three of Mark Kiram Tolentino dancing woman.
Art for Everyone at the SM malls is of the same concept. The large hall was the venue for one big exhibit for local artists and sell the works at very affordable prices. It allows everyone to immerse in the different genres of art in its different mediums. For sure, one or two that will attract you. In last year’s event, I scored a nude artwork in a unique medium (newspaper collage) by Dominic Turno. Again, I didn’t have the intention to buy anything.
Today, another Art for Everyone event is happening at SM Lanang. If you’re intending to buy yhour first piece of art by a local artist, this is a good place to hunt for one. Pick one that attracts you and sparks joy (to quote Ms. Kondo).
In this exhibit, I missed out on the Art Bongawan paintings (again!) but I’m confident that I’ll have one of his pieces soon.
If there is one coming exhibit you should not miss it’s the 1st Mindanao Art Fair on October 4 to 6 at the Gaisnao Mall atrium. It will gather artists from all over Mindanao and will showcase the beauty and diversity of the island’s art and culture.
Get to know our local artists and get their art. I’m pretty sure you will have your favorites from the long list.
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.
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