“Art for Everyone” in Baguio features inclusive creativity
Text and photos by Hanna C. Lacsamana
In this mountain city, designated as the first ever UNESCO Creative City in the Philippines – for Crafts and Folk Arts – everyone, including differently-abled persons, is given the platform to express and show their talents through art.
Home-grown artists in cooperation with SM City Baguio recently unveiled the “Art for Everyone at SM: A celebration of Creativity in Baguio” at the mall’s Atrium, showcasing art works from 125 talented local artists until July 26, coinciding with the observance of the National Disability Rights Week this month.
Maricar Docyogen, one of the organizers, said not only established artists from the Tam-awan Village Artists and Pasakalye Creative Space and Art Hub are participating in the exhibit but also emerging talents from various sectors such as independent artists, differently-abled persons, senior citizens, children, and the youth, highlighting diversity of talents.
What made the arts event special is the inclusion art masterpieces of artists on the autism spectrum supported by the Autism Hearts Foundation, which according to officer Melissa Sobrepeña is “a powerful reminder that individuals on the spectrum are not defined by their abilities, but by their talents, perspectives, and potential to contribute to society in extraordinary ways.”
Among the 570 artworks from 125 featured artists are those created by seven individuals from the autism spectrum, such as Mark B. Agcaoili, who used colored pencil as medium in his work entitled “Mother and Child”.
“We are happy to see that these artists with autism are now slowly being mainstreamed alongside more popular and celebrated artists in Baguio City and the Cordilleras. This is more than a display of talent. It is a step forward in advocacy, awareness, and acceptance. Art, after all, is one of the purest forms of communication, and these pieces speak volumes about diversity, individuality, and hope,” said Sobrepeña.
She also urged everyone to continue championing a future where no ability is overlooked and every voice regardless of how it is expressed has a space to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Host SM City Baguio invites everyone – whether a cause advocate, collector, or simply an art enthusiast – to join this vibrant celebration of creativity, with each art piece telling a unique story about Baguio’s culture and community through brushstrokes, sculptures, and sketches.
As a way of giving back, organizers said the participating artists commit to share a portion of their sales with three organizations that hold special significance to them: Art Heals, Autism Philippines, and Helping Hands.- Hanna C. Lacsamana
