Imagine an art show that’s child-friendlyFor its 20th year, CANVAS, an NGO established to encourage kids to read, puts together a delightful exhibit at the National Museum of Fine Arts

'Makinig' by Studio 1616 (Photos by Edmund Dennis Ladaw)

June 25, 2025 by Edmund Dennis Ladaw for TheDiarist.PH

Last week we went to an art show that should interest art connoisseurs and their children. Dubbed “CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories,” the exhibit features the works of various artists, most of whom have provided the illustrations for children’s story books. The show opened on June 14 and will run for a year at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

We joined the press preview and had fun going through a maze that takes visitors to various rooms and corridors, where colorful paintings are hung and interesting storybooks are on display. Enter the spacious area reserved for the show, and suddenly we’re in a wonderland for children to explore. Traces of the museum’s stately architecture and Old World atmosphere vanish completely. The place may not have the candies of Willy Wonka’s factory, nor does it hold tea parties hosted by mad hatters, but it has enough attractions to entice little ones to stay for an entire day.

The maze itself should keep children on their toes, and sometimes on their knees and hands. They’re allowed to use shortcuts by crawling under small tunnels to find an impressive sculpture of a galleon made of brass, or an activity room where they can leaf through colorful storybooks.

The show is organized by a nonprofit organization called the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS). It’s holding this show to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

CANVAS was founded by Gigo Alampay, whose advocacy is to encourage children to read books. A lawyer by day, he established CANVAS to publish children’s story books that carry a social message. He said he raised his three children on books. He wants today’s children to be bookworms as well, and spend less time online.

He said he was inspired by a children’s story by French author Jean Giono (1895-1973), The Man Who Planted Trees. Published in 1953, the book told the allegorical tale of a shepherd who planted trees over several years. As a result, barren land is transformed into a flourishing forest that survives the destruction of war.

‘Tree Huggers’ by Lito Mandejar and Elmer Borlongan

Alampay was so impressed by the message of the story he decided to adapt it into a book for Filipino children. Thus, the first book, titled Elias and His Trees, was published. The book itself planted a seed. It inspired him to embark on a non-profit publishing venture that would focus on children’s story books with similar social themes. The books, he said, should appeal to the younger ones and be educational, as well. And so CANVAS was born.

CANVAS has so far published 50 titles.  For each title, around 500 copies are printed. The bulk of them are donated to public schools and select local government units around the country. Some are written in Tagalog, others in English. Social themes include children’s rights and women’s rights, a primer on martial law, and climate change.

CANVAS uses a unique process in developing titles. An artist is commissioned to create an artwork. Writers are then invited to take part in a competition. They’re told to write an original story based on the artwork. The winner gets published, along with the picture.

Renato Barja Jr. and his sculpture, ‘Son, You Don’t have a Golden Brain,’ on display at ‘CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories’

Numerous noted artists have collaborated with CANVAS, including BenCab, Daniel dela Cruz, Renato Barja Jr., and Elmer Borlongan, among many others. Likewise, notable writers like Butch Dalisay and Vim Nadera have worked with CANVAS.

This room is called ‘Safe Space,’ and it’s all about internet safety for children.

Alampay admits that prior to establishing CANVAS, he was never part of the Philippine art scene and literary world. “I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know the procedure when it came to approaching artists and writers. I didn’t know the rules. Perhaps it’s the reason why we work with them so well. Had I known the rules, I might not have been able to convince them to work with us,” he said, laughing.

He selected most of the artworks to be showcased in the 20th anniversary exhibit. He worked with curator Jaime Pacena II, whose work, says Alampay, goes beyond the act of selecting. “It is an act of caring for what is already available and creating thoughtful dialog between the works, the viewers, and the space that holds them. We wanted to show a collective portrait of the values, stories, and creative energy that shaped CANVAS over the last 20 years,” he said.

‘Read, Imagine, Create’ is an activity room where children can read, create, and take a break.

The exhibit is divided into various themes representing the advocacies of CANVAS. “Ode to the Young Reader” is a poem-letter to children about reading.” I Am the Change in Climate Change” is obviously about environment issues. “Safe Space” educates children on internet safety. “Karapat Dapat” is about children’s rights, while “Art for Development” covers women, diasporas, and faith. “Read, Imagine, Create” is designed to be an activity area where children can, rest, read and create.

Alampay explained that the art show presents a reimagining of audience engagement. This was done by inviting artists Daniel dela Cruz and Renato Barja Jr. to create large-scale sculptures, and also by developing interactive learning pods with illustrator Liza Flores, Ang INK (ILustradot ng Kabataan), and Dialogo (which designs brochures, logos, and power point presentations). CANVAS also partnered with Artisens (a group of artist-architects) in turning the venue into a child-friendly art gallery. 

‘CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories’ opened on June 14 at the fourth floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts.  The show will run until June 2026.