THE Queen City of the South continues its journey into becoming a melting pot of local art and appreciation in the country. With hundreds of homegrown talented artists and potentials, galleries are starting to open their doors to the public. One of them is the Artissimo Art House, which currently stands as the first walk-in art studio and gallery in the city, adding a much-needed support to the local art scene. The recently opened art house is located on the second floor of One Paseo, Paseo Saturnino, Maria Luisa Road, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. Its opening last March 10 was attended by artists, students, staff and its supporters.
“I am happy to have chosen to operate Cebu’s first walk-in art studio and art gallery because I have always been mesmerized with this concept,” said Angeli Lim, owner and founder of Artissimo Art House. “For many years, I had tried enrolling my kids in art classes; they have become my inspiration in this business. Having seen some do-it-yourself walk-in art studios in other places—especially abroad—I thought this would suit Cebu because there are many art enthusiasts in our city. We are also not discounting the creative tourists visiting Cebu, who might like to see the works of our talented pool of artists comprising homegrown Cebu artists and painters. Their works adorn our art gallery walls.”
The launching was held together with an exhibition of artworks and its Kinamut Charity Art Program, a live art auction of paintings created by children with cancer and out-of-school youths. This was part of the company’s social responsibility program as it actively promotes charity art initiatives to benefit the less privileged. Part of the proceeds went directly to the creators of the artworks to help them with their medicine needs and schooling for ALS (Alternative Learning System) learners who were given basic art classes for free.
An art lover and young entrepreneur, Lim founded Artissimo late in 2017 with the goal of being able to create the first walk-in art studio in Cebu and encourage people to learn art: “Visitors can walk in here and create art without having to set up their studio at home. They can attend any of the art classes we’ve scheduled for the day and will be guided by an art moderator or instructor while creating their pieces. With Artissimo, Cebu gets its very own walk-in art studio at last” said Lim.
The studio occupies over 80 square meters and is designed to house both an art studio space and gallery. The studio is used for activities and art classes while the huge walls inside, functions as the gallery where artists can exhibit their works. The studio is also fitted with projectors and large white boards as well as pipe in music especially for painting sessions.
The art house is a host to mentors and fine arts teachers who conduct art classes in the art house. During classes, only the students and teachers are allowed access inside the studio area to allow focus and privacy to the learners. While walk-ins are also accommodated in any ongoing classes of the day, the art house highly encourages appointments previously made.
The studio can also be booked for private classes or private events like art themed parties. The studio also provides art tools and materials through their in-house art shoppe where materials come in handy at affordable prices.
Artissimo Art House is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Artissimo puts up a calendar of its daily and weekly art classes and workshops on its Facebook page with early bird promotions announced randomly for those who enlist early.
“We are quite excited to host as many art activities, events and gathering at Artissimo to celebrate the creative side of the Cebuanos. We actively collaborate with local painters and talents to bring out the best of them through their excellent art pieces and we shall continue to launch art careers of budding and emerging Cebu artists to let the world know that our island is home to some of the world’s best talents in art. Anyone is welcome to drop by Artissimo for his or her daily, weekly, monthly does of art therapy. At Artissimo, we hope we can share in providing relief to your tired senses as you come down here to join us in one of our art classes, workshops, art talks or events,” said Lim.