Street art for mental health encouraged
A RESOLUTION supporting street art in the city was passed in a bid both beautify and stimulate mental wellness.
In a resolution, Councilor Mylen Yaranon encouraged all local artists and residents to engage in street art to help in mental health awareness as well as to beautify the community.
Yaranon said the project aims to serve many purposes, foremost to showcase the talent of local artists as well as for residents to showcase their artistic side and help in the beatification of Baguio, befitting its title as a Creative City and to provide an outlet for our constituents for the purpose of their mental health wellness.
The lady lawmaker added it is vital the city government of Baguio should support this move and provide for guidelines on its implementation.
“The Covid – 19 pandemic has caused anxiety and uncertainty among our constituents, research shows that by getting involved with the arts, can have a power and lasting effects on health it can help in recovery. It can help boost confidence and make us feel more engaged and resilient. Besides these benefits, art engagements also alleviates depression and stress,” Yaranon added.
Yaranon likened the project to what has been done in other areas, citing Itogon’s engagement in a beautification activity wherein they turned blank walls into murals and turning abandoned cars into art pieces.
“Baguio being a creative city, can adopt this practice provided only manmade structures shall be made into art pieces of street art and natural elements such as stone walls, trees and wood shall be untouched in order to showcase their unique and natural beauty,” she said.
The move was approved in this week’s city council session saying the city has adopted a policy of full government support to be extended to partners in the arts, culture and heritage conservation sectors, befitting the city’s being declared by the United Nations Creative Cities Network.
“We will maintain constant engagement and active involvement with these sectors to encourage appropriate activities meant to enliven the cultural scene and strengthen harmonizing efforts of varied indigenous and traditional practices,” Yaranon said.