April 16 - 30 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 21
PAN ASIAN ROUTES Art Exhibition – DIMASALANG TURNS 50
Opening Reception : Thursday , May 3rd , 6:00-8:00 p . m .
Moat Gallery , Vancouver Public Library Central Branch , 350 West Georgia Street
The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society ( VAHMS ), The Consulate General of the Philippines , Vancouver in partnership with the Dimasalang III International Artist Group , will present an art collective exhibition entitled “ Pan Pacific Routes – Dimasalang Turns 50 ” at the Moat Gallery of the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch , 350 West Georgia Street during the explorASIAN 2018 National Asian Heritage Month in May . New works by Dimasalang artists , led by co-founder SYM Mendoza , will showcase paintings reflecting on the artists ’ interpretation of his / her culture and origins .
2018 marks the Dimasalang Group ’ s 50th anniversary . The group was co-founded by SYM Mendoza and late artist-writer E . Aguilar ( Abe ) Cruz in Manila , Philippines in 1968 . “ The upcoming Dimasalang III exhibit will celebrate the anniversary of the founding original Dimasalang I Group of artists in the Philippines , followed by Dimasalang II also in Manila , and Dimasalang III in Vancouver when SYM moved to Canada in 1981 and mentored aspiring Filipino Canadian artists . It will also celebrate the sharing of works of Dimasalang III members to the mainstream society in the heart of Vancouver ’ s Central Public Library ,” respected Filipino- Canadian community leader Leonardo Cunanan , Sr . states .
The word Dimasalang was coined by Philippine national hero Dr . Jose Rizal who used this term as pseudonym in the books he wrote ; and later a street in Manila was named after this alias . In the 1960s , Dimasalang Street was home to SYM and the birthplace of the artist group . In Canada , SYM felt an inherent need to revive the group he formed in his new home . Also tagged the Canadian Dimasalang , this registered non-profit society Dimasalang III International Artist Group , was established .
O p e n i n g reception is scheduled on Thursday , May 3rd from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Alma Vandusen & Peter Kaye Rooms . Special guests that evening include Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson , Consul General of the Philippines Neil Frank Ferrer and MLA for Vancouver- Kensington Mable Elmore . The vibrant KATHARA Pilipino Indigenous Arts Society and the exciting Filipino Martial Arts Arnis Kali Maharlika , will grace the event with memorable performances . In the spirit of commemorating Canada ’ s diversity , the “ Pan Pacific Routes – Dimasalang Turns 50 ” art exhibition aims at proudly sharing
its rich and proud Filipino culture .
Free to the public , the art exhibition runs from May 1-31 , 2018 . The opening reception on Thursday , May 3rd from 6:00- 8:00pm is open to the public but with limited seating capacity at the Moat Gallery ’ s Vancouver Public Library Central Branch . ********
( Switzerland ). Recognizing that men are equal partners in shaping a world where everyone should be able to realize their dreams , Essence will also present male artists Chito Maravilla ( Vancouver ), and Danvic Briones ( Vancouver ).
Ambassador Petronila P . Garcia , the first woman ambassador to represent the Philippines in Canada , will be the guest speaker at the exhibition ’ s opening reception .
The Essence exhibit travels to the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa later in September 2018 , incorporating the works of two members of the city ’ s artistic community , Melanie Yugo and Kristina Corre .
Essence will be presented at CityScape Artspace in cooperation with partners Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver , UBC ’ s Institute for Gender , Race , Sexuality and Social Justice ( GRSJ ), Filipino Music and Art Foundation in BC , and Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society ( VAHMS ).
Educational components of the exhibit : Save the Dates :
• Lenore RS Lim , artist and founder of the Filipino Music and Art Foundation in BC , will be doing an art talk about her series on comfort women , her mother ’ s influence , and the process of printmaking . Venue : CityScape Community Art Space Date : May 12 , 2018 ( Saturday before Mother ’ s Day ), 2:00-3:0pm Through Essence partnership with UBC ’ s GRSJ , Associate Professor Leonora Angeles of
UBC ’ s School of Community and Regional Planning and The UBC Social Justice Institute will deliver a talk to immigrant youths and the community , about women ’ s issues , during the month-long exhibit . Venue : CityScape Community Art Space Date : May 19 , 2018 ( Saturday ), 2:00-3:30pm
About MELD Arts : MELD Arts is the hub of a family of artists who create and promote art , especially as a means to connect people and communities through exhibition , performance , and education .
About CityScape and North Vancouver Community Arts Council : CityScape Community
• Art Space is a contemporary , interactive gallery that has served the community since 2001 . It is dedicated to offering quality
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM programming for the community while giving an opportunity for both emerging and established artists to exhibit and promote their work .
The North Vancouver Community Arts Council , founded in 1969 , is a grassroots , social-profit , charitable cultural organization dedicated to maximizing the intrinsic value of the arts in all media . As well as curating exhibitions at CityScape and three other community locations around North Vancouver , the NVCAC also offers education programmes year round , presents annual cultural events , special projects , and an annual film series , and manages a popular Art Rental programme .
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