Baguio is a known place for art. Baguio supports local artists and displays artworks all over the city. You will see art in Session Road, in different restaurants around the city and in random places such as the randomly carved face on the cement stairs going to SM Baguio. Some artworks are discovered and displayed on a pedestal but some are still yet to be discovered.
There are many artists in Baguio City. Whether famous or not, an artist is an artist. But how does an artist make money? How does an artist become well known or discovered in the first place? Do all artists even get a chance to show their full potential? Maricar Abad Docyogen is one of the people who helps to shine a little more light on these local freelance artists of Baguio City.
Docyogen is one of the proprietors of Bookends and decided to provide a space beside Bookends to accommodate these freelance artists. She started this event called “Pasakalye” back in 2016 which she maintains until today. The space was inspired by her interest in art and her passion for helping her fellow local artists.
The main goal of Pasakalye is to help local artists raise funds and give them a chance to show and display their artwork in the hope of being discovered or their pieces sold. The concept of this space is bringing art to the streets hence the name “Pasakalye”. Most artists burst with creativity and passion but the problem is their lack of resources to make their creativity come to fruition. This is a real problem in the art industry in Baguio. An artist may have the will but have no way of expressing her or his art since art materials are not always accessible. Pasakalye provides these materials for the artists. These materials and paints are donated from different people and some are actually sponsored by paint companies including, Boysen, Pioneers, and the Department of Tourism. In other words, Pasakalye gives out a message to local freelance artists “you have the art, we have the materials.” As Ms. Docyogen said, “We wanted to reach out to the artists of Baguio.” Pasakalye gives chances to these artists and proves that if there is a will, there is indeed a way.
Some artists are able to sell their artworks with prices ranging from P500 to P35,000. After each sale, the artist decides how much to donate to Pasakalye.
Pasakalye is open to anyone and everyone in Baguio City. Whether a tourist or a local, as long as you want to make art you are eligible to join. There are no requirements to join the space, and there are no limits. Pasakalye promotes the culture of Baguio, the artist, and it is an investment.
This is a space provided purely to help out artists, musicians, and first timers. To give them recognition and to help them practice their talents on a solid canvas. Pasakalye is for artists, and for the people who enjoy art. An artist will always have to start somewhere to gain a position in the art industry even if it is a local one. Pasakalye is the perfect place to start.
By Jan Rome Olivo Galimba