ILOILO City – Turning art into a public right rather than a privilege, National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)–Iloilo has rolled out a month-long slate of free weekend workshops and open gallery access to mark National Arts Month, inviting Ilonggos of all ages to create, explore, and participate — no fees, no pre-registration required.
Dubbed “Tusmaw sa Taliambong,” the program anchors Iloilo’s celebration to this year’s National Arts Month theme, “Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting” (Harvests of Arts: Truth and Courage), and is designed to draw communities into hands-on artistic expression while underscoring art’s role in social engagement and creative courage.
“National Museum of the Philippines-Iloilo joins the entire nation in celebrating the National Arts Month this year. We believe that arts and culture are a basic human right nga dapat ma-enjoy kag ma-experience sang every Filipino. That’s why the museum has put up a series of activities for the National Arts Month. We have three weekend workshops starting this weekend, February 14,” said Phillippe Angelo Hinosa, NMP-Iloilo Museum Guide, in an interview with Panay News.
Among the interactive features are three 4×8-foot canvas panels for communal painting, the Pinta Pader activity highlighting forest colors and ecosystems, ArtRetaso collage-making using fabric scraps, and Art is You, which invites guests to craft self-portraits from upcycled materials to promote creative recycling.
Saturday workshops will be held throughout February: a Mini Canvas Painting Workshop on February 14, Leaf Art and Stampmaking on February 21, and an Art in a Box session on February 28 focused on upcycled seaglass art. Museum staff and student interns will facilitate the sessions.
“We also have freedom walls for the guests. Part ini sang ginatawag namon nga VEYA (Visitor Engagement Activity). Libre ang admission…free entrance kita. Si VEYA free man, free ang supplies, pangayuon lang namon sa mga guests ang ila nga presence para mag-join workshops namon,” Hinosa said.
He added: “Target namon for this workshop perhaps 200 participants. But if may ara more than 200 nga interested, they are welcome to join. May ara registration onsite, on the day of the workshops. Regardless of age or gender affiliation pwede gid maka-join…libre tanan.”
Visitors can also view “Sunday at the Park” (acrylic on canvas) by J. Elizalde Navarro (1994) at Gallery 5. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m., and entrance remains free.
The public is encouraged to take part in the February activities and experience art not just as spectators, but as creators — inside a museum that is opening its doors wider than ever./PN
