Biskeg artists group eyes role in tourism
THE word Biskeg, meaning “strength” in Pangasinan, first took its roots in the province as a formidable local political party founded by then Sto. Tomas mayor now chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, Antonio A. Villar, Jr.
Today, another group, this time composed of artists found a purpose in the word Biskeg. It is composed of artists who are into painting, sculpturing, mass media arts, street art and sketching and other related disciplines.
Biskeg came into being in 2004 initially as “Apatira” referring to four young artists who shared common interests and passion in arts. Since then, more artists joined their group to form the Dagupan Artists Circle. This year, the group renamed itself Biskeg as the organization of artists to signify the strength of a growing group of young artists in Pangasinan.
“Artworks by Pangasinense artists should be seen by the whole country and even the world so that they will know that Pangasinan still has it, being the province of four national artists like Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal,” said Patrick Fernandez, Biskeg president.
“We could do more, if we only get support from the government,” came both the aspiration and lament of Fernandez in promoting the province as an artists’ hub in the country.
At present, there are 15 to 20 strong members of Biskeg who are from Dagupan City, Lingayen, Bolinao, Villasis, Urdaneta City and Binalonan.
“From their homes, “ he said, “we want artists like us to expose their art works first in the national scene through exhibits in galleries then to international audiences.”
Biskeg artists were recently given the chance to exhibit their works in Tam-Awan village in Baguio City last June and July this year.
The group’s vision is to be a major stakeholder in the tourism industry as well through arts.
The group’s initial exposure to a tourism event was its participation in Dagupan’s Bangus Festivals by doing the very first art wall on the side of the city plaza and art sculpture that received accolades from local and foreign tourists.
“In other countries, they use art works as part of their tourism and hopefully we could do the same,…we hope the city and provincial government would give us the chance to be part of the society by allowing us to share our works,” Fernandez said. (Hilda M. Austria)
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