By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE CADIZ CITY government recently launched a Visayas-wide painting competition. This is a no-joke endeavor meant to gather artists and their works from different parts of the Visayas (Negros, Panay, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar islands).
Mayor Bading Escalante has a firm and clear vision – this tilt will be a vehicle for Visayan artists (18 years old and above) to showcase their astonishing masterpieces in one platform: the Cadiz City Painting Competition, Year 5.
To culminate in January next year in time for Cadiz’s 51st Dinagsa Festival, this Visayas-wide painting competition is themed “Sa Pagsibol sa Kabihasnang Pamumuhay (Visayan life)”.
Visayan life is so beautiful, highlighted by beaches, mountains, many natural wonders, including world-renowned fiestas. This means we will be seeing on canvas life’s wonders that Visayas could offer.
EXPANDING HORIZON
This contest, per Mayor Bading, seeks to discover artisans whose passion is painting not just in Negros but in the entire Visayas.
Cadiz, which is positioning itself as the “Art Capital” of Negros Occidental, started the painting competition just a year before the COVID-19 pandemic. But it was just for the city’s local artisans.
Overwhelmed by the positive outcome, Mayor Bading expanded its reach up to neighboring local governments within the 2nd Congressional District of Negros Occidental (Sagay City and Manapla) the following year.
Then it became Negros island-wide, and now aiming to reach various provinces in the Visayas.
What inspired Mayor Bading to institutionalize this painting competition was the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis made local artists struggle. No work, no income. His heart bled for the artists.
ART IS LIFE
For Mayor Bading, art is life. It makes someone special.
But in time of health crisis, art is not exempted. Artists have to bear the brunt of COVID-19. The mayor thought of something sustainable for the artists’ sake.
Having a painting contest twice a year – every January during Dinagsa Festival and July during the city’s charter celebration – could somehow help the artists to “have the world on their feet”, too.
Mayor Bading, being an art connoisseur, believes that every art piece dignifies the artist.
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Revo Yanson, a Negrenses artist who used to be the chairman of DIHON, the visual art sector of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines -Negros Occidental Chapter, hailed Mayor Bading and the local government of Cadiz for acting like a support system for local artists.
Yanson, also a co-founder of ArtTambay, said institutionalizing the painting competition in Cadiz every year is a formidable assurance that local artisans have a potent venue to showcase their grit in painting, and the opportunity also to market their artworks.
ART IS A CHALLENGE
Art is always a challenge. Finding aspiration for an art subject is a struggle for every artist. Not easy.
Maintaining talent is next. One needs inspiration to always come up with outputs and keep the passion for art burning.
Self-trust is complicated as well. An artist needs to trust himself or his own innate skill will distrust him.
Making a living is another wrangle for artists unless he or she is economically-well-off.
Lastly, an over production of art pieces with no impact or quality at all may frustrate artists.
ART IS CRUCIAL
Mayor Bading understands all these.
In fact, he pooled local artists in Cadiz, and gave them decent jobs to, at least, improve their lives as they continue their artful journey.
Why?
Because art, based on his widened perspective, is self-expression. Through art, one creates his own identity in society.
And most of the time, through art, we understand the world – people, places, events.
CALLING
Thus, Mayor Bading always develops an empathy leading to understand the lives of artists highlighted by their struggles and juggles between the demand of their dreams and passion and family’ economics as well. The mayor therefore believes that making Cadiz the “Art Capital” of Negros is noble step.
Mayor Bading knows that an art has always these essences – expression, creativity and emotion – that need to be respected and boosted at the same time. Ergo, aiding artists to shine and lead is a calling worthy of push and support.
In sum, Mayor Bading is bound to build an artsy yet friendly community sans pretentions worthy of salutation.
Here’s a way how to join this Visayas-wide painting competition in Cadiz City.
* Dimensions – 32 x 26 inches, vertical or horizontal
* Mediums – Oil, or acrylic on canvas
* Eligibility – Open to Visayan residents 18 years old and above
* Submission – Entry or entries can be coursed through courier betweenJanuary 6-8, 2025 (to ensure arrival of the entries before the competition).
* Via walk-in – at Cadiz City Arena, January 9-10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So, what are you waiting for?
* Registration now at https://forms.gle/5Xssz2QdT9p9pmSJ9./PN
