DFA Mindanao Attends Opening of Davao ArtFest 2023
DFA Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro O. Villa, and art patrons Dr. Lourdes Ledesma, Jean Bangayan, Honorary Consul Mary Ann Montemayor, Councilor Pilar Braga and Mr. Rafael Angelo Gutierrez during the ceremonial cutting of ribbon at the Davao ArtFest 2023 opening.
DAVAO 16 May 2023 – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro O. Villa and Director Eric R. Aquino attended the opening ceremony of the Davao Art Festival 2023 organized by the Dabawenyo Artist Federation Inc. (DAFI) on 12 May 2023 at La Herencia Davao Art Space, Torres Street, Davao City.
The eight-day festival featured DAFI’s 14 artist groups namely BaiHinang, Floral Artist of Davao, Bintana Art Gallery, La Herencia Art Space, Artists Initiative, Piguras Contemporary, Art Sanctuary, Art Pavillion, Watercolor Society of Davao, Tabularasa, Pintanao, G.A.M.A, Guhit Pinas, and TM Artists.
Assistant Secretary Villa was one of the guests of honor during the opening along with Honorary Consul of Hungary in Davao City Mary Ann Montemayor, Ms. Jean Bangayan, CEO of Rogen Inn, Davao City Councilor Pilar C. Braga, Dr. Lourdes Ledesma, SM Supermalls Regional Human Resources Manager Ms. Ma. Ruby Sano and President and General Manager of Gutierrez Development Co. Raphael Angelo Gutierrez.
DAFI President Josie Tiokno and Vice-President and Davao Art Festival Curator Victor Secuya, delivered their messages during the event.
DAFI’s mission is to provide opportunities for artists, as well as provide Dabawenyos an art experience from its broad range of artworks. The festival was an opportunity for the public to immerse in Davao’s art scene, engage with artists, and broaden the awareness and interaction of Dabawenyos with art.
In her message, Ms. Josie Tiokno stated that there were many developments in Davao’s art community for the past three years due to greater exposure to gallery shows and social media. Dabawenyo artists were also invited to art shows in Manila. NCCA National Committee on Visual Arts recently conducted a Mindanao Exhibition which featured artworks from Iligan, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, Dapitan, General Santos City, Butuan City and Davao City.
Tiokno also mentioned other opportunities for artists including an art scholarship program offered by the Indonesian Consulate in Davao City and possible collaboration with DFA Mindanao on displaying works of Davao artists.
DAFI will continue to pursue its activities to contribute to nation-building and the creative economy. The federation’s long-term goal for artists include producing artworks that will be at par with other artists in the world, attain financial stability, and to be a strong institution that can train artists of the next generation.
The Davao ArtFest 2023 will run from May 12 to May 19. END
Assistant Secretary Villa was one of the guests of honor during the opening of Davao Art Festival.
Artworks from the Art Pavilion artist group.