AN afternoon of fine wine, delectable desserts, and a chance to give back. Eskwela Haiyan, a scholarship initiative, assembled A Garden of Children’s Art in 32 Sanson by Rockwell on August 14, Sunday afternoon. Myths and Pets is the organization’s first art exhibit displaying art made by children of Barrio Luz Elementary and High School from workshops organized by Eskwela Haiyan and funded by Telstra Foundation Philippines.
Founder of Eskwela Haiyan, film-maker Joanna Vasquez Arong, explained that the idea for the scholarship initiative germinated during their time filming the devastation around the Visayas and Palawan in December 2013, a month after Typhoon Yolanda hit.
Myths and Pets is Eskwela Haiyan’s first initiative in Cebu encouraging students to create art as a productive outlet of expression. Two separate workshops were held with professional artists to guide the children in creating works they could be proud of. For each workshop, the artists worked with 120 children, from both Elementary and High School.
Australian painter and installation artist Libbet Loughnan kicked off the series of workshops in March as she visited Cebu for a solo exhibition in Qube Gallery. The output composed of painted shirts, embellished masks and papier mâché pigs.
Mindanaoan artist Amihan Jumalon, in June, led her young mentees in creating visual interpretations of local myths, “The Living Head” and “The Moon & The Bacunawa.” With a background in art-teaching, Jumalon also led them to develop pet sculptures purely out of recycled materials.A fund-raising exhibition for young aspiring artists, Myths and Pets has already sold more than one third of its collection. 100% of the proceeds go to the beneficiaries–50% to the young artist and the other 50% to the art club of Barrio Luz Elementary and High School.
Myths and Pets was made possible by Manny O’s Wines, Marisse Patisserie, and Audrey’s Confectioneries in collaboration with Amihan Jumalon & Iel Fernandez, Libbet Loughnan, Qube Gallery, and 32 Sanson by Rockwell./PR