Ten years of kiddie art

"Ten years of kiddie art"

Sun.Star Davao, June 13, 2009

Mary Anne Tan-Guinoo was indeed beaming with pride as she showcased the latest art works of her summer workshop students at Cafe Andessa recently.

The art exhibit marks Mary Anne’s 10th year anniversary in teaching her craft to young artists every summer. Some of her talented students such as Clarisse Carreon, Amanda Lu and her daughter Ela Guinoo have been joining her art classes since 1999.

Aside from her home-based studio, Mary Anne has likewise taught art in Mountain Haven Resort and Woodridge Country Club for children ages 5 years old and up.

Mary Anne is herself a product of summer art workshops from age eight until high school conducted by renowned Davao artist Brenda Barba who is presently the Fine Arts department head of the Philippine Women’s University.

After graduating from Ateneo de Davao High School, she took up Bachelor of Fine Arts at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila.

"Upon finishing college, I was the store artist of New City Commercial Center (NCCC) and even taught art lessons to the children of NCCC owner Henry Lim," shares the mom of three lovely girls.

Married to fellow Dabawenyo Miles Guinoo, Mary Anne was based in Bergen, Norway for several years before returning to Davao in 1997. Back home, she started joining art exhibits such as “Symmetry of Spirit: A Contemporary Art Exhibit of 10 Davao Women Artists”.

To prepare for her kiddie summer art workshops, Mary Anne studied how to teach visual arts for children under Mrs. Barba in 1998.

Last summer, 17 students enrolled in her annual art workshop divided into various levels, namely: beginners, primary, intermediate and advanced.

The budding artists learned the basic art principles: line, shape, color, value and texture using several media such as pencil on paper, oil pastels on paper, charcoal on paper, colored pencils on paper and acrylic on canvass. Stimulating art activities include drawing and painting (still life, landscape and composition).

This year’s participants were the following: Beginners class-Anyssa Julienne L. del Castillo, Janna Alexandra L. Ramirez, Arian Melina T. Guinoo, Crisha Jann G. Lima, Caye Alessandro R. Francisco, Lawrence Edward U. Lu and Lance Nathan Y. Lim; Intermediate class: Felix Arthur C. Dioso and Jezka Roxel K. Ratilla; and Advanced class-Denise Marie A. Suarez, Abigail Denise L. Louh, Emylou Ann T. Guinoo, Maria Luisa B. Suelto, Derianne C. Maramba, Amanda Kelsey U. Lu, Marja Elana T. Guinoo and Clarrise Natalie U. Carreon.

Kudos to Mary Anne for ten years of delightful kiddie art!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.