Mad-Mla 3: painting club!

Alone in Madrid, I made it a habit to look at ads in the paper and online, to look for interesting activities to try–and once I actually felt like I won the lottery when I saw a call for artists who wanted to paint or do anything creative together. Felt like I was being led to another new “home” to explore!

Don’t have the original ad anymore, but here’s the first round up email from Heather, the lady who set the whole thing up:

Sorry for the ridiculously long wait…hopefully you´re still in Spain!! Well, i´ve finally got the info of the first meeting for you:

WHEN: This sunday, june 20th (12 noon – 3pm)

WHERE: Parque Retiro (metro retiro) at the pond in front of the Palacio de Cristál (crystal palace)…not the pond with the boats! There is a little waterfall/tunnel on the right side of the pond. We´ll meet there.

WHAT TO BRING: Your drawing/painting materials, a picnic lunch… and don´t forget the sunblock! Anyone is welcome, so tell a creative friend to come along if you like

I’ve always had a fascination with first encounters–new eyes to look into, new laughs to hear and secret smiles to notice, just new worlds to get to know! That day, I was introduced to six different worlds, and what a joy it was. Even just the environment of being with like-minded people, or those like-minded enough to agree to meet with strangers in the park (mind the schedule–mid-afternoon, just ripe for siesta) to paint and swap stories was beautiful.

Surprisingly, I got the same vibe tonight when I opened my inbox and saw the email below:

2nd On-the-Spot Painting Contest: Paint a Nook of Intramuros
October 15, 2005
Saturday 7 a.m. onwards

212 participants joined the event last year. This overwhelming response only deserves a repeat affair. Artists and wannabe- artists, come and join a day of art in Intramuros if only to get a free serving in the evening of the sumptious paella coming out of the biggest paellera in Asia! (priority for participants)
Main prize: 35,000Php.

(Rules in the Official programme of Fiesta or call 526 14 82 to 85)

WOW!! I’m happy to learn about (and hopefully join) an intercambio of sorts in Manila. Contest ends with an exhibition/sale from 4-7 p.m., simultaneous with a Verbena or Spanish Street Party at 5 p.m. onwards, complete with music from Pinikpikan and Arriba band, and the biggest paella in Asia, courtesy of Alba´s Restaurant.

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More details from manila.cervantes.es:

With the objective of promoting culture throughout the city of Manila, Instituto Cervantes organizes this competition open to all professional painters and aficionados, inviting all of them to participate in the activity that let them see Intramuros with new eyes.

RULES:
1. Open to all residents in the Philippines, 17 years old and above. Each participant is entitled to only one entry.

2. The entry must feature a spot in Intramuros.

3. Any painting mediums can be used.

4. Every participant must register before painting. Registration schedule and place: October 15, 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Puerta Real Gardens.

5. The canvas, paper, etc. to be used must be presented in blank for inspection and validation by a member of Instituto Cervantes upon registration.

6. Size of the work: minimum: 35 cm x 38 cm. Maximum: 60 cm x 60 cm.

7. Submission of paintings: From 2 to 3 p.m. at the Puerta Real Gardens.

8. Aftewhich, the paintings will be exhibited for sale from 4 to 7 p.m. (All sale transactions must be directly dealt with the artists.)

9. The competition offers a 1st prize of Php 35,000 as well as a certificate of participation.

10. There will also be a People”s Choice Award (prize to be decided).

11. The winning entries will be considered property of Instituto Cervantes.

12. Instituto Cervantes reserves the right to disqualify works which do not comply with the rules and regulations of the competition.

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Other posts on Madrid-Manila:
Mad-Mla9: Relearning Spanish
Mad-Mla7: Finding Travel Buddies
Mad-Mla 6: Of Diplomats and Art
Mad-Mla 5: The English Language
Mad-Mla 4: Metro and Unlimited Rides
Mad-Mla 2: Pedestrian Life
Mad-Mla 1: Introduction