The City of Cadiz concluded the observance of the National Arts Month in February with the opening of “Balay Cadiznon”, also dubbed as the “House of Paintings”, located within the compound of the Philippine Normal University-Visayas last week.
The edifice, formerly occupied by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)-Cadiz, underwent a five-year, P5-million, three-phase renovation before its official reopening, said Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.
“At first, the very purpose of the renovation project is to convert the BSP-Cadiz building into an event venue next to Cadiz Arena. That’s why we named it as Balay Cadiznon in our proposal,” he added.
Cadiz Arena is too huge for pocket or simple events, so Balay Cadiznon is designed to be an alternative venue.
When they found it too bare, they decided to put on the walls the paintings owned by the city government.
When the mayor did an inspection, he instructed to display more paintings to make the area more attractive.
He ordered the relocation of 70 pieces of painting on various themes made by Negrense artists from Cadiz City Hall 2 to Balay Cadiznon.
“Quite touching and, at the same time, heart-warming to see a government building like Balay Cadiznon now adorned with art pieces with different tales to tell. Truly, there’s an essence in it,” Escalante said.
Beyond the Arts Month, the “House of Paintings”, for sure will create significant human experience(s) for those who will visit and explore it, he added.
“This is now our ‘taliambong’ center (art center) that we could be proud of. The paintings inside will serve as a tourist attraction and a library for real stories based on the artists’ experiences and perspectives in life,” the mayor said.
“Above all, this is our greatest contribution to the immense quest of the provincial government to resuscitate tourism promotion in Negros Occidental after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Escalante said. ||
