ILOILO CITY – An art exhibit continues to raise funds for scholars of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Visayas here.
THE ‘Lá-um’ art exhibit at University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas in Iloilo City. (UP Visayas OICA)
Organized by the non-profit ONE UPV Foundation USA, “Lá-um” (Hiligaynon word for hope) has continued online after the physical exhibit at the art gallery of UP Visayas ended recently.
“Purchasing artworks can be a personal gift of hope to both our scholars and our artists,” said Maria Louriebeck “Honey” Sotelo Dolar, a member of the board of directors of the non-profit group.
With Prof. Martin Genodepa of the UP Visayas Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) as curator, Dolar was able to invite 19 Ilonggo and Negrense artists to participate for the exhibition for a cause.
Among them are veteran artists Dennis Ascalon, Charlie Co, Gabriel “Boy” Dolar, Ed Defensor, Vic Fario, Joey Isturis, and PG “Boyet” Zoluaga and award-winning and upcoming younger artists Margaux Blas,
Marrz Capanang, Suhklin Chang, Kinno Florentino, Bea Gison, Ela Jamosmos, Katelyn Miñoso, Shiela Molato, Alex Ordoyo, Kristoffer Panes, Mae Tamayo-Panes, and Tina Shedid.
Dolar said their works were carefully chosen to be able to boost fundraising efforts in the Philippines and the United States.
Since 2016, ONE UPV Foundation USA (https://www.facebook.com/oneupvusa) has awarded P2 million in grants for 80 UP Visayas scholars. This year, the foundation has 23 scholars with five recent graduates.