ArtéVize Expo (AVEX) held its inaugural event in February 18, 2023 at the Calabanga Museum. The AVEX organizers took inspiration from Bicol art bazaars and small press expos, NagaZine and BLTX, which included arts and crafts sales with an open mic for musicians, book authors and poetry readers, with attendees from Naga, Albay, Iriga, Bombon, and others.
The event was conceived to support home grown independent artists and art collectives who started out in Naga and other parts of Bicol and enable them to flourish within the town of Calabanga. The aim is for AVEX to become a hub and incubator for fellow Calabangueño artists, empowering them to develop their own artistic personality and brand, as well as to network with other fellow artists and art enthusiasts all over Bicol.
To broaden its reach and diversity, AVEX partnered with the Central Bicol State University-Calabanga (PINTADOS and The Writers’ Project), Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU SHS Writers’ Guild, Ateneo Literary Association), Calabanga’s LGU and Municipal Tourism offices and the town’s very own, the Do-Lot Art Group. The organizers executed a marketing campaign to promote the expo and encourage attendance which included creating flyers and social media posts, reaching out to local media outlets, and leveraging the members’ personal and social networks to spread the word.
The expo which ran from 1pm to 9pm was supported by 4 food concessionaires, all local businesses from area. Unfortunately, rain poured from morning to nighttime during the course of the event. But this did not dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the exhibitors, attendees and guests. Local artist and AVEX advocate Paul Bordado performed 3 songs including his very own “Pahinga.” Calabanga Mayor, Eugene Norman Severo came in the afternoon and mingled with the participants. Food and sound system were provided by the LGU which was a big help. AVEX stickers and keychains were handed out as gift to the exhibitors.
AVEX will continue supporting local independent artists as the organizers prepare and pitch for the next big expo event. For now, its core group will form itself into the AVEX Collective.
The organizers behind AVEX are: ArtMerk, Maebi, and Ref3Renz.
ArtMerk (Merk Hamet Bordado), Head Organizer, is a Calabangueño traditional and digital artist. He is studying Digital Illustration and Animation in Ateneo and has worked as a graphic designer and layout artist. He is the president of the Estētiko Ateneo (formerly the Ateneo Design and Arts Society) since 2018. He enjoys attending art fairs and conventions. His traditional art medium choices are mixed media, graphite, charcoal, watercolor, ink, acrylic, and oil paint. He also loves surrealism and poetry. He is an advocate of Bicol Arts and Literature and hopes to see the Bicol art community grow and thrive. His goal for AVEX is to bring Bicol artists, writers, and creatives alike closer and more connected.
Maebi (Maybelle Escaro), co-organizer, is a 3D artist and illustrator. “I create art that are intimate and intense. Reds and blacks. Eyes and hearts. Life and not.”
Ref3Renz (Renz Gacer) is a versatile 3D digital artist and a jack of all trades from Calabanga. With a passion for all things 3D, he has honed his skills in 3D printing, VR modeling, laser cutting, and motion graphics animation. His broad range of expertise has allowed him to bring a unique perspective to each work. He also utilizes the latest tools and techniques to bring his imaginative ideas to life. With a strong understanding of cutting-edge software and hardware, he can create quality digital artworks.
About the Calabanga Museum, the event venue: since opening its doors to the public, it has become a popular landmark in the area, providing visitors with a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage that makes this town unique. With engaging exhibits from artifacts to contemporary art, the museum is a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring the rich heritage of the community. The museum is much more than a venue to see displays; it is also a center for innovation, learning, and participation in the local community. Visitors wishing to immerse themselves in Calabanga’s thriving arts and cultural scene will find a wealth of opportunities at the museum, which hosts everything from tourism and arts workshops to exciting exhibits and other events.
The AVEX Exhibitors
𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐁. 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐁𝐎 is a visual artist based in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. Fascinated by paintings and how the world is portrayed through the eyes of others, so it makes sense that she would be drawn to painting. Her interest in the medium was first sparked when she was a child and grew as she joined an art group in college. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from CBSUA Pili Campus and she’s currently a MAED student at Naga College Foundation, Inc. In 2020, she began creating nude paintings and portraits for clients, and her enthusiasm in creating nude paintings grew. She wanted to emphasize the beauty of artistic nudity – the beauty of being one’s genuine self and expressing oneself without inhibition.
𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐋 is a digital portrait and character artist based in Pili, Camarines Sur. Her work centers around portrayals of women and provocative human figures, often including elements of body horror and gore.
𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐁𝐈 is a 3D artist and illustrator. She’s also one of the AVEX organizers. “I create art that are intimate and intense. Reds and blacks. Eyes and hearts. Life and not.”
𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐆𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐁𝐀Ñ𝐄𝐑𝐎 | 𝐊𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒 In her words, “Eyes see the world as they choose to see it. I have learned to be at peace with the idea that not everyone will find my art to be beautiful. My art may be deemed ugly by some and beautiful by others, but the thing is, it can never be either one of those things in isolation; it is always both at once. When I find myself in the maze of art with only a few colors at my disposal, I am certain that I can use my artistic skills to blend these colors to create any hue I desire, and eventually paint my life however I want. Getting lost in art’s complexities is such a beautiful experience, and through my paintings I wish to ripple that message across.”
𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄, or Ayen is a self-taught digital artist. “Space art is my vibe and all its forms, because the unknown will always be a path unfamiliar to all and it will always give me new sensations and inspirations! So, whenever I discover something new, I try to interpret it in my art.”
𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐔𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 / 𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄 are artists hailing from Rinconada. “We often make artworks that reflects ourselves. Our mediums are, acrylic, mixed media, digital markers and spray paint. We are hoping to hone our skills more and to be recognized in the future.”
𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑 & 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 is an art duo whose works serve up a variety of visual flavors. In their words, “Our tasteful menu is sure to satisfy your colorful palate’s appetite.”
𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐈 𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 featuring the digital art of Woyce De Vera, macrame decor, wearables and craft by Juvy Decembrada, and the art of Leciel Ramos.
Ikigaii Innovation Art Hub was initiated by Leciel as a local art hub that promotes inclusive and collaborative learning among various sectors and communities. She organizes workshops and advocates support for Bicolano artists by organizing themed-exhibits.
𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎 𝐁𝐕𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂 is composed of self-taught misfits and learned creatives, but all having an innate sense of imagination, aesthetics and expression. With a mix of contemporary and classical approach, Studio BVASTRAC is the new wave of young Bicolano creatives aspiring to make a catalytic mark in their community.
Featuring the works of Patourri, Clark Neola, Jebo Padernal and Junie Linsoco.
𝐃𝐨-L𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 is a non-profit organization that has a vision of cultivating and preserving the arts of Calabanga culture. The featured artists were: Kyla Ensola, Francis Chavez Jacinto, Aleah Leira, Jonathan Angeles, Mark Anthony Bonifacio Grajo,
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖 focuses on illustration, may it be digital or traditional. “We do Character Designs, Concept art, Comic illustrations and traditional/digital paintings. We have started this partnership with hopes of solidifying our mark as artists through comic illustrations and character designs. We hope to further flourish the artists in Calabanga and may live up to industry standard of art quality.”
𝐄𝐃𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐎 is a 21-year-old creative and a co-founder of Niche! Art Bazaar. He is notable for his Calligraphy, Illustration, Journaling, and Visual Design works. At the young age of 15, he started to establish his art career and instructed the first-ever Calligraphy workshop in Camarines Norte. He is taking up Digital Illustration and Animation at the Ateneo de Naga University. He is also works on art commissions and personal projects as his side hustle.
Each character 𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑. 𝐈𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐀 draws is a chapter of a story filled with surprises and nightmares he once expected to happen, some of which are lies he believed in.
𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐬 is the visual art group of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Calabanga campus. Established in 2019, its mission is to develop skilled visual artists with the eyes, hands, and hearts for the people. It aims to uplift the standards of the visual arts and foster the love of the arts.
Featured artists were Arjan Pagayunan – current President, Joseph T. Mariquit – founder, Jude A. Cabrera, – Vice Preaident Internal Affairs, Trisha A. Azañes, Joshua De los Reyes Villareno, Fel Jun Acebar, Cristal Grace Saralde Metran, Eugene Avila,
Literary Organizations and Writers
Ateneo SHS Writers Guild, an association formed through a shared love for literature and writing.
The Writers Group (TWP), a cultural organization in CBSUA-Calabanga established in 2016. It has organized writers’ workshop, published DIY publications, and produced award-winning writers. For this academic year, it seeks to hone the young student-writers to develop their creativity and their love for language and literature. In 2016, TWP joined the BLTX where they sold their works including Mga Paghapit by Edwin Breva, Sais by Abegail Sta. Ana, Padangat by Jerome Hipolito, Tipasi by John Chris Pineda and Tagulyab, the organization’s folio.
The Ateneo Literary Association, an organization of readers and writers who seek to strengthen the literary scene in the university and the Bicol Region. Featured members are: Alalasu (also a graphic designer), Kyle Garcia, Bea Doma.
Dennis B. Gonzaga, a cultural worker from the City of Naga. He is now currently based in Goa, Camarines Sur, where he serves as the Press Director for the Partido State University and Research Associate for the Museo de Isarog. He is the owner and curator of The 416 Art Space, an independent hole-in-the wall art gallery located at Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City. He previously served as the Chairperson of the Social Sciences Department of the Ateneo de Naga University, where he also taught Art Appreciation, and Humanities for nearly two decades.
Gonzaga launched and promoted his new book, An Santero nin Santo Entierro, a Bikol-language novel in epic poetry format. It is divided into ten chapters which chronicle the mortal and spiritual conflict of the epynomous Santero, a sculptor who specializes in religious artifacts. Beneath the fictional surface of the work is an undercurrent of critique on colonialism, mythopoesis, existentialism, nihilism, and morality. Published by Kabulig Bikol, Inc., with the invaluable support of the Bikol Historical Research Center, “An Santero Kan Santero Entierro” is intended to be the first part of a planned trilogy.
Random Pics at the AVEX
