Art aficionados are in for a special treat this October as the World Wide Fund of Nature (WWF) Philippines launches Earth Exhibit—the organization’s latest initiative, highlighting Filipino artistry while promoting environmental conservation.

The event, which aims to raise funds to support WWF-PH’s environmental frontliners in these challenging times and provide food assistance for 209 Dumagat families in Ipo Watershed, will kick off this October with Art Commissions for Nature, where the public can avail art commissions from their chosen participating artist in exchange for their donation. This will be followed by Art Workshops in November, where partner artists will share their tips and tricks in a series of four learning sessions. Capping off the event series is the Art Auction this December, where people can place their bids to take home specially-curated art pieces made exclusively for the initiative.

Corinne de San Jose, one of the participating artists in this event, shared the role of art in promoting environmental protection and conservation.

“There’s so much data available out there that proves the urgency to act on environmental protection and conservation. These are dire times. I think that art has the power to interpret all this information and make it more accessible and personal to everyone. Art has the ability to create new ways of seeing or understanding, of attaching narratives to data and narratives are powerful. Through narratives, we are able to connect, empathize, convince people that it’s time to do everything we can to help the environment.”

Also joining the event is Celeste Lecaroz, a local creative who believes that art can help uplift Filipino communities in these challenging times.

“Art is one of the many tools that can help deliver this to the world. Through paintings, stories, songs, performances, illustrations, and poems members of communities can uplift one another and share to others lessons on environmental conservation and restoration,” the visual artist shared.

Local art collectives Fringe Manila and Pineapple Lab have also pledged their support for the initiative as official media partners.

“The arts have always been an effective tool to promote awareness to wider audiences and to inspire action towards many advocacies, such as environmental protection and conservation. Similar to WWF, we envision our community to work and live in harmony with nature. We believe that art, with the help of sustainable practices, can drive our community towards a bright and creative future,” said Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan who serves as the Creative Director of both organizations.

Stay tuned and follow WWF-Philippines’ official social media pages for the complete event lineup and schedules. Together through art, let us help #ChangeTheEnding for the environment and our partner communities.