KUNST aids Marawi kids through art

BATANGAS CITY, Batangas – After successfully holding an art exhibit that raised funds for the children of war-torn Marawi City, group of visual artists based here launched yesterday an art workshop, gift-giving and feeding for the children of SOS Children’s Village in Lipa City.

The Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (KUNST), a group of visual artists founded by Batangueño Virgilio Cuizon, said his group had just sent R165,000 to Gawad Kalinga ng Mindanao for the feeding program of 50 children in Marawi for 320 days.

The money came from proceeds of the “Obra Filipinismo 6th” – a painting exhibit organized by KUNST with the theme “Para sa Marawi, Tagpi-tagping Kulay ng Pagdamay” – at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in Tagaytay City.

The exhibit was supported by Grupo Sining Batangueño (GSP), Tareptep Baler, Douglas Nierras Power Dance and A Capella Manila.

By January next year, KUNST is going to fly to Marawi to conduct an art therapy and workshop for Marawi children with the help of their artists at the KUNST House in Sta. Rita, this city, said Cuizon, a curator and an art critique who is based in Germany.

Yesterday, through a partnership with charity institutions, KUNST launched the art workshop, gift giving and feeding at the SOS Children’s Village, a home that gives nutritional, educational and health support to those who have lost parental care in Lipa City.