Guimaras art caravan expands ahead of VIVA ExCon 2027

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GUIMARAS — Subli Artists Guimaras Inc. has expanded its Estorya Kuris-Kuris Art Caravan in public secondary schools across the island province as an early build-up activity for the Visayas Island Visual Art Exhibit and Conference, or VIVA ExCon, Guimaras 2027.

The organizer described the caravan as a series of art workshops, art talks, art lectures, and art exhibitions meant to give young artists in Guimaras more chances to learn, explore, express themselves, and showcase their talent in visual art.

Architect Frank Alexi Y. Nobleza, chairman of Subli Artists Guimaras Inc. and director of VIVA ExCon Guimaras 2027, said the first leg had already been completed at Nueva Valencia National High School in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

He said the second leg had also been completed at Desiderio C. Gange National High School in Sibunag, Guimaras.

Nobleza said the third leg had just started at Trinidad V. Canja-Sta. Teresa National High School in Jordan, Guimaras.

He said the fourth leg was held at Dr. Catalino Nava Memorial High School in San Lorenzo.

Nobleza said the caravan will continue until next year, or until the group is able to complete workshops in all public secondary schools in Guimaras.

He said there are 16 public secondary schools in the province targeted for the program.

One of the main goals of the caravan, he said, is to discover young talented artists in Guimaras.

Nobleza also said the scheduled workshops have already been approved by the Department of Education Division of Guimaras.

The school-to-school format shows the group is trying to bring arts instruction directly to students while also building early participation ahead of the 2027 regional visual arts gathering.

Promotional material describes the program as a pre-event activity of VIVA ExCon Guimaras 2027 and carries the “DUGOS ExCon Guimaras 2027” branding.

The same material says the caravan is being mounted by Subli Artists Guimaras in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, or PDEA.

Nobleza said the program is free to participating students.

“Subli Artists Guimaras does not collect any fees to all participating students, it is our social responsibility as an artist to share our talents, learnings to young generations,” Nobleza wrote.

Festival tie-in Subli Artists Guimaras is also set to conduct a special workshop as part of the First Guimaras Iwag sang Kabataan Arts Festival 2026, which will be held at SM City Iloilo.

Nobleza said the workshop will focus on comics illustration.

He said the session will include comics script writing and caricature.

The special workshop is scheduled for April 15–16 in the Municipality of Jordan.

Another round is set for April 21–22 in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia. A third workshop is scheduled for the first week of May at Sigundinos Art Gallery and Cafe in Buenavista.

Nobleza said the First Guimaras Iwag sang Kabataan Arts Festival 2026 will also serve as a pre-event activity for VIVA ExCon Guimaras 2027.

He said the festival will also double as part of the launch buildup for the regional arts gathering.

VIVA ExCon Guimaras 2027 is scheduled for April 22–25, 2027.