BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO

Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) has officially opened its first-ever art gallery exhibit, showcasing unique and impressive artworks created by its students, particularly those under the Special Program for the Arts (SPA).

Among the highlights is a double 3D painting of a butterfly by a Grade 8 student, a piece that changes depending on the viewer’s angle.

The gallery houses 30 colorful artworks from students in Grades 7 to 10.

Ben Evanio Jr., Master Teacher I for the SPA, shared how the project was inspired by visits from art collectors and local artists. “It uplifted the students’ spirits to pursue their passion and sparked greater appreciation for their work,” he said.

He added that this new gallery will serve as a permanent space for future exhibits.

The school had long struggled with the lack of proper exhibition space, often using improvised areas that limited their display capacity. “Now we no longer have to think about where to exhibit the students’ works,” Evanio noted.

School principal Whitney Dawayen expressed hope that the gallery will inspire more students to pursue the arts. “We now have a place to showcase the students’ outputs, which opens more opportunities,” he said, adding that the gallery is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The exhibit was made possible through the support of Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., who organized a fundraiser art show and donated the proceeds for the gallery’s construction, “It’s a simple art gallery, but a good start. I want to encourage others to support young artists in Baguio.”

Despite the school break, students like Alyssa Tumapang still visited the exhibit. “Their works are amazing and deserve appreciation,” she said.

The new gallery stands as a creative milestone for BCNHS, inspiring young talents and enriching the local arts community.