The University of the Philippines Cebu’s Fine Arts Program in collaboration with the Fine Arts Students Organization, celebrates five decades of artistic excellence and creative exploration with the 50th National Artist Jose T. Joya Awards, culminating in an exhibition opening and awarding ceremony today, October 23, at 6 p.m. at the Joya Gallery, UP Cebu.
Carrying the theme “Cascading Histories: 50 Years of Making, Questioning, and Becoming,” this year’s golden anniversary traces an artistic legacy shaped by continuity, disruption, and renewal, reflecting the evolving practices and perspectives of generations of student artists.
A cherished tradition of the Fine Arts Program, the Jose T. Joya Awards honors the legacy of the late National Artist Jose T. Joya, whose contributions helped shape Cebu’s local art scene and advance fine arts education.
Beyond recognizing artistic achievement, the annual competition provides students with a platform to develop their skills, exhibit their work, exchange ideas, and engage with the wider creative community.
This year’s exhibition features 97 displayed works from 100 submissions, showcasing the diverse artistic practices and creative perspectives of students across the university.
The entries were evaluated by a panel of five judges representing Cebu’s art, curatorial, and creative industries: Alyssa Selanova, Curatorial Senior Supervisor of The Kabilin Center; Maris Holopainen, Director of Qube Gallery; Allen Arvin Tan, Trustee and Project Chairman of the Arts Council of Cebu, and Founder and Director of Tubô Art Fair and Atúa Midtown; Mark “KDLT” Copino, a prominent contemporary visual artist; and Mark Joseph Deutsch, Co-founder of Happy Garaje.
Now in its 50th year, the Jose T. Joya Awards stands as a testament to the enduring role of art education in nurturing emerging artists and sustaining Cebu’s creative landscape.
Through the awards, the College of Communication, Art and Design continues its commitment to supporting Fine Arts students by creating opportunities for artistic practice, exhibition, collaboration, and meaningful participation in the local art community.
The exhibition opens to the public until November.