ArtSpeak Online: Teaching Art in the Time of a Pandemic

In partnership with KANTINA, an art space for co-learning and co-creation in Roxas City, we've invited art educators based in Visayas to discuss their adventures and misadventures of teaching art in this time of pandemic. Invited speakers are Javy Villacin, Angela Silva, Kristoffer Brasileño, and Irma Lacorte, to be moderated by visual artist and KANTINA founder, Marika Constantino.

KANTINA opened its doors last February 1. A month after the pandemic dawned upon us. As an art space envisioned for co-learning and co-creation, KANTINA had to rethink how their programs would ensue. The constrained mobility due to COVID 19 and the migration to online platforms also posed a challenge.

Art is essentially experiential. The appreciation of space, the building of relationships and the tangibility of materials are all part of the creative encounter. How can you migrate these significant aspects of art when it comes to art education online? What are the losses encountered on an e-platform? In addition, the familiarity with available technology also adds to the long list of challenges. Admittedly, there are advantages to online engagement like, wider audience reach, maximizing resourcefulness and really employing more creative approaches or mindsets. How do we then balance the pros and cons given the fact that despite the situation, the work should still continue.

This candid online conversation hopes to engage teachers and students alike. It hopes to share both the difficulties and rewards of teaching art online from practitioners from formal and informal structures. Moreover, it aims to promote the importance of art and culture especially during this period.

PANELISTS:

Javy Villacin - visual artist based in Cebu; teaches at the University of the Philippines Cebu

Angela Silva - a printmaker and conducts printmaking workshops in Bacolod

Kristoffer Brasileño - visual artist based in Iloilo; conducts painting workshops and teaches at the University of San Agustin and Central Philippine University

Irma Lacorte - visual artist based in Dumaguete; teaches at the Silliman University