Cordillera Artists Central News: ASSESSING ART IN THE PARK BAGUIO

Cordillera Artists Central Bulletin No. 5 Series of 2014

ASSESSING ART IN THE PARK BAGUIO

By Joey Martinez

07 March 2014

ASSESSING ART IN THE PARK BAGUIO

Introduction

A huge parachute tent was set up on a portion of Upper Wright Park in Baguio City. Makeshift bamboo panels were constructed and artworks were laid out. Fifteen (15) visual artists, seven (7) from Baguio City and eight (8) from Metro Manila were represented by works executed in varied media. The dates of the event coincided with the peak of the 2014 Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival.

The general public was welcomed.

Strengths

Upper Wright Park proved to be strategic in staging Art in the Park Baguio 2014. Wright Park has not been a home for any arts-related event. Art in the Park Baguio was the first activity of its kind and magnitude to be staged at such venue.

The huge colorful canopy tent proved not only as an eye-catcher but more so as it attracted attention. People came to interact with the artists and their art and artworks. The biggest attention that was attracted was that of the local government of Baguio City.

The event also gave an opportunity for Baguio City-based artists to interact with the artworks done by the artists from Metro Manila. Art interacted with art yet interacting with the general public was of utmost importance.

The curiosity that the event generated caught up with the media. Much enthusiasm was evident among the internet-based press.

Weaknesses

There has been the obvious failure in coordination and communication with regards to planning and implementation of Art in the Park Baguio 2014. The impression that everything is going well was not really the case. Questions in securing the proper permits arose.

The project only relied on the internet for promotions and publicities. What was loud in cyberspace was not physically tangible. Advance printing of tarpaulins and posters never occurred. The wait and see attitude prevailed.

Opportunities

Art in the Park Baguio attracted bigger opportunities. The local government offices specifically the City Environment and Parks Management Office and the Office of the City Administrator took notice of the event. So does the events committee formed by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan for 2014 SUMVAC activities headed by City Councilor Elmer O. Datuin, SUMVAC 2014 Chairman of the SP Committee on Tourism and Special Events.

A commitment to be accredited with the 2014 SUMVAC activities arose. SABATAN, a three-fold activity has been set to be proposed for accreditation to the 2014 SUMVAC activities.

SABATAN shall consist of an art exhibition/interaction (much like Art in the Park Baguio) and an online campaign to create a directory of Baguio City visual artist’s directory. The directory shall also include a listing of art organizations and art venues in Baguio City. And in line with Cordillera Artists Central’s continuing advocacy on art appreciation/education among the youth in Baguio City is TAWID, a free Art Workshops in the Park set to transpire at Upper Wright Park on April and May 2014.

Art in the Park Baguio also paved the way for Cordillera Artists Central to meet Baguio City Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon and the officers and members of the Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon Foundation. There has been continuing dialogues on integrating activities of the Cordillera Artists Central, particularly in the arts, with the projects of the foundation. It also opened the opportunity for the undersigned to write for the alternative newspaper of the foundation.

Inquiries regarding the future activities were coursed through the social media.

Conclusion

The gains brought about by staging Art in the Park Baguio 2014 outweigh more than its weaknesses. The City government has been aware of the organizers’ intention to establish Art in the Park Baguio as an annual event in line with the yearly celebration of the Pangbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival. There has been the spoken commitment of assistance from various local government offices in the Baguio City Hall. A larger network of friends and supporters was established.

In Art in the Park Baguio 2014, art, artworks and artists met with the general public. So much curiosity was satisfied. There is so much hope for its return. The vigilance and perseverance of staging it again prevails as Art in the Park Baguio 2014 has proven to be a platform where art, artworks and artists can be recognized and appreciated.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Hon. Mauricio Domogan

City Mayor

Baguio City

Hon. Elmer O. Datuin

City Councilor

Baguio City

Atty. Carlos M. Canilao

City Administrator

Baguio City

Ms. Collene Lacsamana