AYALA Center Cebu was teeming with creativity as the place was the venue for Tubô Cebu Art Fair 2019 from Sept. 13 to 15.

The event, organized in celebration of Cebu Design Week, was a showcase of local talent and creativity in different forms like painting, sketching, sculpture, photography, film and the performing arts.

It featured over 180 renowned and up-and-coming artists: Golda King, Leeroy New, Jose Mari Picornell and Gerald Ismael Pongase; and students and creatives across the Visayas, including artists from 856G Gallery, Aroma Atellier, Art Attack, Artastic, Bacolod Artists Collective, Bohol Collective, Botacdo-Artsada Kagay-an Inc., Botacdo-Hugpong, Botacdo-Kolor Banwa, Cebu Artists Inc., Dumaguete Artists, Friday Group Sessionista, Mind Art Torture, Mugna, Orange Project, Solitaryo Cinco, Tadiyani, University of San Carlos and University of the Philippines.

“This is a big opportunity not only for Cebuanos but for all artists in the Visayas,” said renowned artist Celso Duazo Pepito. “This is a big showcase for the rich creativity that we have as Cebuanos.”

From impressionism to dabbling in cubism, he always depicts in his artworks the importance of family, love for God and country; and being a good example for others.

“It’s very promising; This exhibit is worth joining,” shared watercolorist Eduardo l. Solana Jr., who is working on a medium of watercolor, and showing its transparency as seen through his pieces mixing realism with a modern approach.

“So far in Cebu this year, this is the biggest exhibit for me.”

“For me, as an artist, it’s a huge help, especially if I’m trying to build up my career,” shared surrealist artist Allan Ong, based in Bacolod, about the fair inviting people from different parts of the country. He also shared how great it was also seeing Cebu artists and their styles.

Showing unique pieces that also tell of tradition is Joey Labrador, from Cebu now based in Bohol, who presented ornas, which he called primitive art. “I appreciate the culture, religiosity and arts of Bohol, which is what we’re showing because Bohol’s heritage is well-preserved.”

For multi-media artist Je-an “Govinda” Marquesto, it was a fulfilling experience presenting his works especially in his homeland. “To become an artist, you have to contribute something new to the society and I believe this is something new, so, I am happy,” he said.

Workshops on different subjects were done as well: “Curating” by Leeroy New and Dang Sering, “Animation” by Hannah Martinez, and “How to start a Collection” by Pia Mercado. The three-day event included an art auction, Binisaya film showing, improvisation and spoken word poetry and performance from Guang Mind Institute of Performing Arts. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation Inc.