News and Features

Smart shares Banglos Sculptors project experience in 2007 Metrobank Foundation Art Exploration series 

[September 28, 2007/ Manila] - Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) was invited to be part of Metrobank Foundation’s 2007 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Art Exploration Series.

The two-day lecture, with the theme “Your Environment Shapes You,” was part of the culminating activities of the 2007 MADE national competition which gathered together speakers from various groups to discuss topics focusing on environmentally-responsive and sustainable arts design.

Smart head for Community Partnerships program Darwin Flores (shown in photo on left) delivered a talk which centered on Smart’s Banglos Sculptors project.

The Banglos Sculptors artist group from Gen. Nakar, Quezon was born following the livelihood project initiated by Smart. Through the Smart Communities Program, together with Gawad Kalinga Foundation and renowned sculptor Rey Paz Contreras, the fishermen/farmers were introduced to driftwood sculpture as an alternative source of livelihood.

Since the group started in 2005, the Banglos Sculptors has held exhibits in various parts of the country and has received praises from various sectors for becoming a successful model of community-based art.

The 2007 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Exploration Series was held at the Le Pavillion, Metropark in Manila. Aside from the lecture series, an exhibit featuring the winning works and selected qualifying pieces from the national competition were on display to the general public. @