Art- and literary-centric organisation CANVAS celebrates its 20th anniversary with a year-long exhibition at the National Museum

Cover An installation view of the exhibition ‘CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories’ at the National Museum (Photo: CANVAS)

June 11, 2025 by Franz Sorilla IV for Tatler

Driven by its mission of encouraging a love for books and fostering discussion and reflection on the key issues of our times through the power of art and literature, the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) has made great strides since it launched its first book in 2005 and now halfway its long-term goal of distributing 1 million books for 1 million Filipino children

Celebrating its 20th year of harnessing visual literacy to shape the minds of younger generations, the non-governmental organisation, Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS), is mounting an interactive and immersive exhibition experience at the National Museum. Opening to the public on June 14, the exhibition ‘CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories’ will run all year long to showcase the numerous artworks the organisation has accumulated over the years through its unique programme, as well as its books that continue to illuminate kids and the young-at-heart about some of the most pressing issues today.

The exhibition is divided into themes representing the various advocacies close to CANVAS. The show includes several interactive elements designed to engage young visitors. Some sections feature archways that children can go through, inviting them to explore at their own pace. Whether one enters through the entrance on the right or the left, the poems of CANVAS founder and executive director Gigo Alampay for each entrance will guide visitors into the unique experience that awaits them inside.

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Above CANVAS founder and executive director Gigo Alampay

Alampay strongly believes that children with art and stories can change the world. Hence, together with his colleagues, he thought of having an artwork commissioned to spark ideas for a modern and relevant children’s story, which they would publish and distribute.

“We cling to the hope and possibility that somewhere down the line, one of the books that we publish, one of the artworks that we show, or one of the ideas that we share, will trigger the imagination of one child who will then be moved to change the world for the better,” Alampay says.

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Above Some of the books published by CANVAS through the years

CANVAS published in 2005 the book Elias and His Trees, an adaptation of Jean Giono’s The Man Who Planted Trees. Since then, it has published over 50 books covering different themes and topics, from children’s rights and the environment to democracy, friendship, family and grief. Some notable titles include the award-winning Hanapin Ang Sagot: Ano Ang Batas Militar?, Karapat Dapat and I Like Wearing Rainbows. Other books, such as Nadia and the Blue Stars and Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim, have been adapted into stage plays and musicals. CANVAS has also worked with prominent figures in Philippine literature to author and translate books; these writers include Vim Nadera, Cyan Abad-Jugo and Butch Dalisay.

The lineup of talents in the visual arts who have generously shared their gifts with CANVAS through the years includes National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Daniel dela Cruz, Renato “Jojo” Barja, Jonathan Madeja, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Leeroy New, Elmer Borlongan, Lito Mondejar, Renz Baluyot, Liza Flores and Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), to name a few. Their creations have brought CANVAS’s books to life with striking images, inspired uniquely designed gift items and shaped some of the most educational and insightful art events.

Above Exhibition curator Jaime Pacena II delivered a walkthrough for selected guests during the preview of ‘CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories’

Masterful pieces from these artists, as well as the above-mentioned titles, comprise some of the highlights of the milestone exhibition.

The exhibition has several sections. “Ode to a Young Reader”, penned by Alampay, is a love letter to children about reading that welcomes visitors as they enter. Also, there are timelines on the corridor visitors might want to look at before entering, as these tell the story of CANVAS for the past 20 years and the progress it is making with its “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign.

“I Am the Change in Climate Change” brings the environment into the conversation. On one wall, there is a spinning roulette of activities and ideas for visitors, especially kids, to remember in order to make their daily habits more sustainable and eco-friendly. Another side has a matching game called “Everything is Connected”, where kids can match the cause and effect of various phenomena in nature.

The “Safe Space” area equips children with internet safety. There is a magnetic board of what AI can do. Kids can use the magnets to show how they feel about the different capabilities of AI, if it’s something that they think is helpful, something they’re worried about, or if they haven’t decided yet.

In “Karapat Dapat”, the section about children’s rights, there are pillows and mats, and there are mirrors with motivational words where visitors can take selfies. And the Art for Development portion covers topics such as women’s stories, diaspora and faith.

At the heart of the exhibition hall is “Read. Imagine. Create.”, where visitors can read, play and rest. Throughout the year, visitors may participate in workshops and activities to be held in this raked space, allowing them to realise their ideas into various creative expressions. As of the moment, CANVAS has on its calendar storytelling, poetry writing, story writing, illustration and art appreciation and upcycling for this space. For parents and educators, there will be talks on topics such as explaining Martial Law to children and ensuring internet safety for the family. Details of these activities will be posted on CANVAS’s social media accounts.

“I selected most of the artworks in the exhibition and worked with our curator, Jaime Pacena II, to help translate my vision into a cohesive and meaningful experience for a public audience,” says Alampay. “For J, curation goes beyond the act of selecting—it is an act of care: caring for what is already available and creating thoughtful dialogue between the works, the viewers and the space that holds them. So for us, we wanted to make sure that we show a collective portrait of the values, stories and creative energies that have shaped CANVAS over the past 20 years,” he adds.

Collaborating with its longstanding artists, such as Dela Cruz and Barja, to create large-scale sculptures, with Flores to develop interactive learning pods, Ang INK and Dialogo, CANVAS has reimagined audience engagement in the context of institutional spaces, like museums and galleries. Partnering with Arkisens, a collective of artist-architects, to translate Pacena’s curatorial vision into a tangible, spatial encounter, the exhibition bridges art and storytelling, directly inspiring children and families to tap into their creativity through art-making and comprehension.

Aside from celebrating a milestone, CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories is meant to offer a glimpse into the soon-to-open Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art in Ibaan, Batangas, where everything on display—and those still to come—will find a permanent home.

Situated on a 15,000-sqm piece of land, Tumba-Tumba is currently open only for special events or by appointment. At the moment, there are five installations in place at the Museum: Elmer Borlongan and Lito Mondejar’s Tree Huggers; Leeroy New’s first permanent structure, I Am the Explorer, a spaceship that will house Tumba-Tumba’s permanent collection; Don Bryan Bunag’s Lilim; Cian Dayrit’s The Anti-Monument (The Weight of Words) and John Santos and Pam Yan Santos’ Not A Mirage.

The Museum also hosts the “If Trees Could Talk” International Art Biennale, whose first edition was launched in February last year. In March 2025, Filipino visual artists Mr S and BLIC completed a 100-ft mural that will be part of the following year’s Biennale.

As progress continues on the museum, other CANVAS initiatives remain active, such as the “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign. Through this programme, CANVAS donates its books to children in public schools and underserved communities across the Philippines. The books are also available for free download from the CANVAS website.

Finally, there is CANVAS’ public art programme, Art for Development, which facilitates discussions on national issues, culture, the environment and more. It invites Filipino artists to respond to chosen themes through paintings and sculptures that are then displayed as art banners in pedestrian-friendly areas, such as the Academic Oval in UP-Diliman.

Visit CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories on the fourth floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Galleries 25 & 26, from June 14, 2025 until June 2026.