Art events: 'Currents of Connection’ at UOG; Self-determination in pictures; Myths and folklores at MicroMall

Morning, digital art by Marc Martinez

UOG Fine Arts seniors present ‘Interflow'

The University of Guam Fine Arts Program is hosting its annual senior art exhibition, “Interflow: Currents of Connection,” featuring the work of eight graduating Fine Arts/Art majors.

The exhibit, open from May 14 to June 25 at the Isla Center for the Arts on the UOG campus, highlights a range of artistic mediums and approaches, including cardboard and ceramic sculptures, oil and acrylic paintings, digital paintings, and nail art.

Featured student artists are Mikhailla Jane Alcantara, Alyanna M. Barrera, Cean Daniel S. Guanlao, Marc Martinez, Camarin Jade M. Pacificar, Allison Royal, Jeimax Nennis Ruloma, and Ayanna Rinka Y. Urbano.

“Interflow” refers to the active exchange of ideas that occurs within a shared creative space. In the classroom, students observe one another, respond to each other’s work, and draw inspiration from what they see. This process creates a fluid, ongoing circulation of concepts and influences—an interflow—where individual creativity is shaped and enriched through collective interaction.

Self-determination in pictures

Melvyn Won Pat Borja

Guam Museum’s “Yanggen Ti Hita Pues Hayi?” visualizes the territory’s quest for self-determination. The exhibit, which opened on May 2 and runs through June 27, features photos and artwork honoring the CHamoru self-determination movement and the people behind it.

“The most important thing for me is ensuring that these stories survive,” said Melvin Won Pat-Borja, the museum’s curator and executive director of the Guam Decolonization Commission.

The display holds a personal connection to Borja’s family. Borja is the son of former Sen. Judi Won and grandson of Antonio Borja Won Pat, Guam’s first delegate to the U.S. Congress, who served from 1973 to 1985.

The gallery display is filled with photos of people who are either family or friends of the family.

There is a photo of the late former senator and CHamoru rights activist Angel Santos, who helped draft the rules and regulations for the CHamoru Land Trust Commission.

“I never even knew him as an activist,” Borja said of Santos. “I just knew him as a friend of my parents—somebody my parents loved and respected. I just see him as a really loving, kind person. Once I got older, when I knew what he really was all about, it really changed me.”

Won Pat-Borja described “Yanggen Ti Hita Pues Hayi?” as a visual representation of the complex history of Guam’s self-determination movement.

“There are so many people, so many groups, so many important moments,” he said.

The display, he said, offers an opportunity for young people to learn about the legacy of the CHamoru people who shaped Guam’s history.

“It’s inspiring. I’m really happy to have the opportunity to share this and to learn this as well,” he said. “That’s one of the benefits of holding a space like this and making it available to the public.” (Johanna Salinas)

Into the world of Philippine folklore & mythology

In celebration of Philippine Heritage Month and in commemoration of the 8oth anniversary of Philippines-United States diplomatic relations, the Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in cooperation with the Filipino Community of Guam, launched the Art Exhibition titled “Hiwaga at Alamat: Into the World of Philippine Folklore and Mythology” at the Micronesia Mall on May 23.

The exhibit serves as a tribute to the enduring ties between the Philippines

and the United States, and to the Filipino American community that continues

to keep their heritage alive on Guam.

The art exhibition, which concluded on June 5,  featured the artworks of Guam-based Filipino-American artists, including Brendan Almario, Mar-Vic

Cagurangan, Richelle Canto, Anette Catahay, Jesse Catahay, Neill Catangay, Grace Gueco, Gigi Magtoto, Olivia Newman, Lolit Poblete, Maila Pujol, Bianca Quenga, Beatrice Quenga, Stephanie Quitugua, Viola Roces, Merc Tenorio, Vandrick Veloria and one American artist Yeon Sook Park.

These artists created a total of 26 artworks showcasing the different characters of Philippine folklore and mythology, including the gentle diwatas  (fairies)

 to the all-powerful bathala (the creator god), and the terrifying aswang and manananggal.

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