SPECTRUM Opens

The Officers and members of the AVAA.

"Arts is the window of the soul of man", declared Ms. Cecile L. Motus, past president of Arch. Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation during the opening of SPECTRUM, 12th Group Exhibit of the Aklan Visual Artists Association (AVAA). The program was held on Wednesday morning, January 14 at Museo It Akean, Poblacion, Kalibo.

The exhibits is sponsored by the Aklan Visual Artists Association (AVAA) organized 18 years ago today. AVAA started with a couple of Aklanon artists who met and decided to form a group to represent Aklan’s visual arts. They called themselves "Pinta Grasya".

According to Mrs. Sumra Dela Cruz – Rojo, the incumbent secretary, the name was later changed to Aklan Visual Artists Association. AVAA aims to promote Aklan, reflects the culture, values and history of Aklan is their works of Arts, to advocate for the upliftment and appreciation of visual arts and to promote the works of Aklanon artists in the province, region, nation and the world.

Today, the participating Aklanon artists are: Carmen Lao–Ang, Pedro Bustamante, Wilfredo Custodio, Jose Dureza, John Heap, Liza Ann Acevedo-Ilagan, Cipriano Lachica, Patrick Lachica, Anna India dela Cruz–Legaspi, Eilleen D. Losaria, Sumra dela Cruz–Rojo, Marie Grace L. Villanueva, Marcela Reyes–Tinagan, John Recel L. Villanueva, and Junette Villanueva.

Kalibo Poblacion Barangay chair Jean Acevedo Rebaldo rep-resented Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo to the opening program. In his speech, Rebaldo extolled the valuable contribution to the development and appreciation of Kalibo through their talents in the field of visual arts. Ms. Motus congratulated the AVAA members and officers of their great achievements. She urged them to continue the good job started.

Ms. Anna India C. Legaspi, AVAA president, in her welcome message defined what visual art is and its functions in society. "The works of artists are the "impression and expression of arts" through their works.

Before the program ended, Ms. Cecile L. Motus, Ms. Jean Acevedo Rebaldo, Ms. Editha Mijares and Ms. Manolita Q. Acevedo led in the cutting of ribbon to open the exhibits to the public. Ms. Chita C. Heap led the singing of the Philippines National Anthem while Ms. Hervey Casidsid was the lady dean of ceremony. /MP