Art has its place in the University of the Philippinesthrough its programs, which promote art in the community in a way that itteaches children and adults to appreciate creativity.

One program UP holds is the Summer Art Workshop facilitated by Fine Arts students,guided by their professors. This art workshop introduces the idea of arts to children and even to adults. Fine Arts students are trained in teaching methodology and the management of materials. These students who enroll are aged 4 and older. “They are taught separately since the younger ones are only into drawing or what we call art appreciation” said Prof. Raymond Fernandez, a Fine Arts professor of UP Cebu.

Play, Art, and Income

In an interview, Professor Raymond Fernandez, mentioned how the Summer Art Workshop began: when it rooted up from the state of fewer Fine Arts enrollees. It all started in the mid-1980’s when he was a part time lecturer of the university. At that time, the Fine Arts Student Organization (FASO) was about to launch a series of exhibitions to promote the program itself, but they had no funds to use. The organization agreed to conduct a summer art workshop to hit two aims: to share concepts of art to those who desire to learn, and to generate funds through the activity.

“I always tell them not to teach the students too much especially that some are still very young” said Fernandez. “The arts program should be conscious of the idea of play since we cater up to those as young as three and four” he added.

            Facilitating this activity is a manifestation of students pushing forward for development. “We conduct Summer Art Workshops in order for our organization to gain funds for our projects for the whole year and in order for us fine arts student to enjoy our summer vacation in teaching students,” said Julius Sagrado, FA student, major in painting, and the former chairperson of FASO.“In this activity, we learn something from our enrollees and they also learn from us. Both parties can benefit because the fine arts students can apply their knowledge in art and also the students we teach can enhance their skills and creativity”.

            Endorsing art to the community is a great idea brought by Gerald Ismael Pongase, “the summer art workshop is one way to promote art to the public as well as we can generate income both for us artists, and for the funds of the organization.”  Gerald is a Fine Arts student major in painting and the current Chairperson of FASO. 

Essence of Art

            Art is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing or extraordinary. According to Christian Paul Pingcas, also a UP Cebu painting major, “Everything can be explained only in two ways – either artistically or scientifically. In this sense, we can say that art has always its place in the world. Therefore, activities such as art workshops help a lot in upholding the essence of art and promoting it to the public for the people to be acquainted and be immersed into art as the other dimension of the world.” 

Photo By: Leonard Gubat

Generosity of knowledge– Leonard Gubat, a second year Fine Arts student, teaching a young learner on art appreciation.

 

Photo by: Leonard Gubat

Interest in Art – the learners desire to learn and appreciate art is one great factor that invites the FA students to teach them with unconditional favor.

(Contributed by Jezrelle Joy A. Rasonabe, BA Mass communication I, UP Cebu)