The second Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition has begun in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, from Sunday. The event, organized by the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Gandaki Academy, and Kathmandu, will run for five days. According to Surya Khadka ‘Bikharchi,’ Chancellor of Gandaki Academy, the exhibition, held at Pokhara Art Gallery in New Bazaar, features 80 artworks.
Outstanding artworks from this province-level exhibition will be selected for participation in the National Fine Arts Exhibition in Kathmandu, he informed. The exhibition includes artworks by both emerging and established artists. Conducted in collaboration with the Creative Artists Group, Kaski, the exhibition is open for public viewing from 10 AM to 5 PM. DB Gurung, President of the group, stated that provincial-level fine arts exhibitions have been organized since last year.
The Nepal Academy of Fine Arts announced that artworks selected from all seven provinces will be showcased in the National Fine Arts Exhibition. One artist from the provincial exhibition who is judged the best overall will receive a cash prize of NPR 50,000.
In the painting category, both traditional and contemporary paintings are featured, while the sculpture category includes traditional folk sculptures and modern contemporary sculptures. Additionally, awards will be given for crafts & handicrafts, student fine arts, folk art, architecture, and other creative art forms. One winner will be awarded in each category, while two winners will be selected for folk art, architecture, and other creative art fields. The prize for category winners is NPR 30,000.
At the National Exhibition, the grand prize winner will receive NPR 100,000, while the best category-wise artists will be awarded NPR 60,000 each. During the exhibition’s inauguration, Gandaki Province’s Minister for Social Development, Youth, and Sports, Bindu Kumar Thapa, emphasized the government’s commitment to upgrading the Pokhara Art Gallery into a well-equipped and organized space. He expressed his belief that the exhibition will play a significant role in promoting fine arts in the region.
The opening ceremony was attended by Naradmani Hartamchali, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Surya Khadka ‘Bikharchi’, Vice-Chancellor Gore Gurung, and other distinguished figures from the art community. The exhibition features both abstract and realistic paintings created by various artists and is promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board.
