THE CURRENT state of the Davao art scene can be defined as vibrant and progressive, as evidenced by the recent surge of art-related activities within the city. Art is truly flourishing and evolving in this dynamic community of creative individuals.
Key art organizations like the Dabawenyo Artists Federation, Inc., play a crucial role in providing a platform for artists working in diverse media to showcase their creativity. Their recent annual event, the Davao Artfest, which ran from May 24 to June 2 at La Herencia Davao, stands out as a significant highlight in the city’s art calendar.
Described as the biggest art event of summer, the 10-day exhibition featured over 200 artworks from various art groups and galleries, namely Art Pavilion, Art Sanctuary, Artists Initiative, Davao Baihinang Women Artists, Floral Artist of Davao Association, Inc., Davao Water Color Society, Jing Rabat Gallery, La Herencia Davao Art Space, Piguras Contemporary, Pintanao, Tabula Rasa, TM Artists, Group of Aspiring Mindanawon Artists, and Guhit Pinas-Davao.
During the opening ceremony, DAFI president Victor Navales emphasized the profound impact of human expression showcased in the galleries.
“As you journey into the galleries, you will be transported into the minds and hearts of these extra special people who are able to create out of their blank canvasses,” he said during his speech.
The event also saw esteemed guests, including Department of Tourism Xl Regional Director Tanya Rabat Tan, Davao City Tourism Operations officer Jennifer Romero, and Councilor Pilar Braga, in attendance.
Councilor Braga highlighted Davao’s status as a hub of creative minds and underlined the significance of the art festival in aligning with the city’s innovation roadmap. She also provided updates on the Davao City Office for the Culture and the Arts, aiming to establish a local counterpart to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Beyond the main exhibition, the art festival featured workshops and discussions, including fused sculpture by Rob Tanedo, sketching techniques by Bryan Cabrera, an art talk on Rick Rubin’s “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Victor Secuya, a performative musical art exploration workshop by Noi Narciso, and a sketch park with various DAFI artists.
