Channel your creativity at Craft Mania at the Shang
MANILA, Philippines - The heat index has already soared to 51 degrees Celsius; summer is indeed on full blast. As sun worshippers flock to the beaches to bask in the scorching sun, Shangri-La Plaza offers a cooler alternative safe from the wrath of El Niño. The country’s top lifestyle destination, and ever the purveyor of the arts, is inviting everyone to Craft Mania 2016 — a celebration of creativity through a series of workshops, most of which are for free, led by some of the country’s most popular artists in their respective fields.
Beat the summer heat by letting your creative juices flow as you — and of course, the kids — learn embossed and stamp calligraphy, ceramic painting, and polymer clay molding. This colorful affair, which runs from April 22 to 24 and April 29 to May 1, will also include workshops on basic bead accessory-making, card-making, DIY taka painting, journaling, illustrated lettering, and creative coloring at the East Atrium.
Craft Mania, aside from it being a sunburn-free summer activity option, aims to awaken the artist in all of us, especially in kids of today who are bombarded with just anything touch, swipe, and click.
Before you embark on a life of art, here are some expert-approved must-haves from Shangri-La Plaza’s top arts and crafts retail partners.
‘Don’t be afraid to make a mess! The beginning is always the hardest part for everyone. Just enjoy the journey and never stop learning.’
Fozzy Castro-Dayrit
Calligrapher
Top Picks: Brause straight holders, Zig Kuretake sumi ink, Tachikawa-G Nib, and Rhodia pads from Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Fozzy has a workshop on embossed calligraphy on April 23, 2 p.m.
‘Know what you are competent at; improve it, develop it, own it, and be confident about it.’
Aina Kristina Reyes-Paco
Calligrapher
Top Picks: Zig Clean Color real brush pens, Tsukineko ink pads, and Dew Drop Memento dye ink from National Book Store and Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Aina has a workshop on journaling on April 24, 5 p.m.
‘Research, experiment, and practice. Maximize the available tools that you have, but most important of all: work from the heart.’
Anina Rubio
Visual Artist/ Calligrapher
Top Picks: Stabilo 4H from National Book Store, Zig Kuretake brush pen no. 24 and Arches watercolor paper from National Book Store and Scribe Writing Essentials.
‘Don’t worry about not having your desired output. What matters is the progress you are making. Continue to learn and explore your craft.’
Mark Dean Lim
Illustrator
Top Picks: 3H Stabilo Othello pencils, Stabilo Pen 68, and Canson watercolor paper from National Book Store, and Zig Gansai Tambi from Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Mark has a workshop on journaling on April 24, 3:30 p.m.
‘Disconnect from social media for a while; take a walk, wander, travel, let alone time give you the freedom to create new wonders.’
Paola Jane Esteron
Calligrapher
Top picks: Zig Cocoiro letter pen, Zig Detailer waterbrush, Zig Fudebiyori, Zig transparent watercolor palette from National Book Store, Powerbooks, and Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Paola has a workshop on stamp calligraphy and card-making on April 23, 5 p.m.
‘It’s never too late to pursue art. Your artistic self has always been inside you, it is up to you when you want to bring it out and showcase to the world.’
Vermailene Joyce Barios
Artist
Top Picks: An interesting coloring book from National Book Store, Powerbooks, and Scribe Writing Essenstials; Stabilo power pens and Stabilo Premium Edition colored pencils from National Book Store and Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Vermailene has a workshop on creative coloring on April 23, 3:30 p.m.
‘Trust yourself as an artist. Follow your instinct and trust your gut. The more you overanalyze your art, the less authentic it becomes.’
Paulina Luz Sotto
Painter/Visual Artist
Top Picks: Berkeley canvas panels (all sizes) and Liquitex Heavy Body acrylic paints from National Book Store; Pilot permanent markers and Mongol #2 pencils from Powerbooks.
‘See the value of drills, drafts, references, and studies. Think of them as ways you’re sharpening your skills and refining your process.’
Richelle Macapagal
Calligrapher
Top Picks: Rotring clutch pen and dustless eraser from National Book Store; Zig Kuretake Bimoji pen and Dr. Ph Martins Hydrus liquid watercolor from Scribe Writing Essentials.
*Richelle has a workshop on journaling on April 24, 2 p.m.=
The craft lives on
When Craft Mania 2016 wraps up, the little ones can still hone their newfound creative skills at the Shang all year round. Ogalala has a Crayola buffet, where the kids can doodle with exotic hues like asparagus, macaroni and cheese, and Robin’s egg blue. Build City provides a space for ceramic painting and polymer clay sessions. Hobbes & Landes offers origami and paper quilling sets, while there are hundreds of reasons why one should take gift-wrapping seriously at Tie Me Up Buttercup.