Shell art competition now accepting entries

MANILA, Philippines - The nationwide art contest that serves as a gateway for young Filipino creative talents into the major Philippine art scene is accepting entries for its 46th year.

The 2013 Shell National Students Art Competition is inviting Filipino college students to take part in any of the four open-themed categories: Oil/Acrylic, Watercolor, Sculpture, and Digital Fine Arts.

The Shell National Students Art Competition is a legacy program of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, one of the leading energy companies in the country. Shell believes that it has a role to play in nation building, sharing in every way to develop the potentials of the Filipino youths to become productive individuals while helping the country move towards progress.

Like many of the country’s art luminaries who joined the competition in their youth — including National Artists Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz — this year’s contestants are being challenged to leave their respective imprints on society through their entries, and to be immortalized as among the great influencers of future generations of artists. This is the spirit behind this year’s competition, dubbed “Insignia.”

“For 46 years, Shell has believed in the vision of young Filipino artists. This year, we recognize their growing sense of self and their limitless creativity and passion for self-expression. These manifestations, all geared towards leaving their mark on today’s fast-paced world, can help mold the consciousness of Filipinos for centuries to come — just as the works of other great masters have done,” states the competition organizers.  

Each participant can submit a maximum of two entries across all categories. On the back of the competition’s landmark 45th anniversary last year, cash prizes for the top winners have been increased to P60,000, while the second and third place winners will receive P40,000 and P30,000, respectively.

The awarding ceremonies will be held in September, as well a public exhibition of winning entries and selected best works at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Detailed competition rules can be found online at www.shell.com.ph/shell_art and will also be available at the Fine Arts, Student Affairs or Dean’s Offices of various colleges and universities nationwide.

Contestants from Metro Manila can submit their entries from July 4 to 6 at the Ground Floor, Shell House, 156 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.  Provincial entries, meanwhile, must be submitted from June 26 to 28 at designated Shell provincial depots and installations, or at the following partner receiving centers: Gallery Orange, 2nd floor Annex Bldg., Lopue’s Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; and Anthill Fabric Gallery, Pedro Calomarde corner Acacia Sts., Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City.

Other partners and sponsors of the Shell National Students Art Competition include Air 21, Canson Artist Papers, Winsor & Newton, LeFranc & Bourgeois, National Book Store and The Ayala Museum.