By Philippine News Agency Some 52 exhibitors joined the official opening of the 6200 Pop Up Arts and Crafts Fair in this city Wednesday afternoon. Nimfa Virtucio, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental, said the activity was previously known as the Dagit Arts Fest. “The 6200 Pop Up has emerged and transitioned from the inspiration of the Dagit Arts Fest which we already held two years in a row,” she said in her welcome message. “This is a response to the emerging culture that confronts traditional belief systems, challenge social norms, craves for flexibility, autonomy, peer-to-peer collaboration, and inclusivity,” she added. According to Virtucio, the event's goal this year is to showcase local artists and artisans and their creations because the DTI believes that “cultivating one’s creative capacity in an economically significant manner can stimulate economic growth.” She said that exposure to arts and crafts can “increase one’s level of innovation and propel the province and country towards a more resilient economy.” Of the 52 exhibitors, 45 are individual micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and seven are groups from all over the province of Negros Oriental and the nearby province of Siquijor. They include 14 artisans, 22 painters, 10 photographers, five digital artists and one group of writers, the DTI Negros Oriental chief said. The products are pre-selected and curated to come up with the “best among the best” pieces in the exhibit, she added. Virtucio said the DTI intends to sustain this event by conducting a series of similar Pop Up exhibits all over the province “to encourage all the young artists out there that there is a venue for you to showcase your work and for the art enthusiasts, there are artworks out there made specifically for you but you just have to find them.” In fact, two Pop Up events were recently conducted, one in Valencia, Negros Oriental and the other at a resto-bar in Dumaguete City. The exhibit runs from April 18 to 24 at the Robinsons Place shopping mall in this capital city.