The opening of the AAB 50th Anniversary Exhibit and Art Fair at the North Wing of SM City Bacolod on Friday*BCCO photo
The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AAB-Negros), the Visayas’ longest-running arts collective, launched its 50th-anniversary celebrations Friday, July 18, with a major exhibition and art fair at the SM City Bacolod’s North Wing Atrium, cementing its role as a cornerstone of regional culture.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya’s representative April Rose Mayo, AAB-Negros President Ihvonie Sevilleno, and councilors Jason Villarosa, Em Ang, and Wilson Gamboa joined cultural stakeholders in inaugurating the milestone event.
Former Congressman John Orola added historical perspective to the ceremonies.
Sevilleno, in her speech, traced the organization’s evolution from its 1975 founding by the late Edgardo “Budot” Lizares to its current status as a cultural catalyst: “Five decades represent generations of artists fueling Negrense identity. Our proudest legacy remains conceiving Bacolod’s iconic MassKara Festival – a vibrant tradition now shared globally.”
The anniversary program features two curated exhibitions alongside a 500-piece art fair embracing the theme “Art is for Everyone,” with works priced accessibly to encourage public engagement. Spanning paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media installations, the display showcases Negros Occidental’s creative diversity.
Year-long initiatives include provincial art caravans, a Luzon-Visayas exhibition tour, and collaborative installations for the MassKara Festival’s 45th edition.
AAB-Negros simultaneously announced plans for youth mentorship programs and an archival project documenting Visayan art history.*