CANVAS, in partnership with Sun Cellular, promotes Philippine art this Independence Day

In celebration of Philippine Independence Day, nonprofit organization CANVAS ( The Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development) in partnership with Sun Cellular, hosts The Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project – an innovative public art exhibition which will showcase original artworks of over 80 Filipino visual artists in Vargas Museum at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and printed reproductions on tarpaulin banners along UP Academic Oval. The exhibit will run from June 12 to 30.

Now on its fourth year, the objective of the project is to encourage the public to reflect on Filipino identity through artworks of established and emerging artists in the country today. The theme for this year is Freedom or Kalayaan.

Participating artists include national artist Benedicto Cabrera, Marcel Antonio, R. A. Tijing, Bjorn Calleja, Marika Constantino, Elmer Borlongan, Michael Cacnio, Joel Alonday, Ross Capili, Jose John Santos III, Juanito Torres, and Alee Garibay among others.

“We want to promote Philippine art and Filipino artists to the general public in a friendly, non-intimidating environment,” says CANVAS Executive Director Gigoalampay, “while providing themes that can help stimulate discussion of what we think are important social subjects.”

Artwork banners will also be displayed on the mountainside of the Bencab Museum in Baguio.

After the exhibit, the banners will be recycled into tote bags and be sold. Proceeds of which will be donated to selected charities and support CANVAS’ activities in promoting Philippine art, culture, and environment.

Th is ar t exhibit, which is accessible to the public free of charge, is made possible by the support of Sun Cellular, the network that made unlimited communication possible for all Filipinos. “We are very happy to support the outdoor banner project of CANVAS. As a company, we support unlimited expression of thoughts and feelings among Filipinos,” says Ricky Pena, Sun Cellular Senior Vice President for Marketing. “Through this collaboration, we also hope to enhance the appreciation of Filipinos on Philippine art which ultimately uplifts the human spirit.”