Prior to the competition proper, the young artists underwent an introductory module facilitated by the Santa Cruz Artists group led by Makapuyat National High School teacher Sherline Villaruel. Santa Cruz-based emerging artists Jesse Esplana and Averil Paras provided inputs during the preliminary workshops. Meanwhile, Manila-based fashion designer and celebrity stylist Monika Ravanera and I Love Santa Cruz Collective Chairman Ramfel Reynoso Preclaro whose Malindig Institute Foundation Arts and Props Club is a constant partner of the local government in designing public spaces and events delivered the workshop lectures on the interface of fashion, the use of textiles, and visual arts. 

This initiative assumes particular significance in rural communities like Santa Cruz, where the arts often take a back seat at home due to financial constraints and limited access to resources. By facilitating an environment that nurtures artistic exploration and cultural expression, Mayor Marisa Red-Martinez’s vision and full support for the ArtVenture Camp and Competition is enabling inclusive access to materials, supplies, as well as information and training essential to the realization of young artists’ vision and creative pursuits. 

To sustain the initiative, I Love Santa Cruz Collective is looking to partner with benefactors in the private sector and other charitable institutions with the resources needed to establish an artists space in the municipality. This envisioned arts and creative makers space aspires to provide free use of artistic materials and supplies to young artists in Santa Cruz while serving as a production hub for creative enterprises. With the goal of becoming self-sustaining in the future through entrepreneurial and revenue generating activities, the space will incubate social enterprises designed to bring about the best of Santa Cruz creativity through collaborative projects. 

“Mayor Marisa Red-Martinez’s ArtVenture initiative operates as a cultural bridge by linking the town’s age-old tradition and cultural identity with modern expression, offering a contemporary take on the enduring Moriones heritage”, explained RR Rañeses, former Santa Cruz municipal administrator and Executive Director of I Love Santa Cruz Collective. 

Beyond culture and fashion, ArtVenture is also serving as a bridge between artistic expression and market demands. By encouraging local artists to explore contemporary trends and consumer preferences, the initiative is fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic intersection between artistry and profitability. This strategic approach not only diversifies the creative output but also empowers artists to innovate and adapt their craft, ensuring the sustainability of their artistic endeavors while preserving the essence of the Moriones tradition. Through this synergy of cultural heritage and market insights, ArtVenture is reshaping the local artistic landscape, nurturing a generation of adaptable and forward-thinking artists poised for success in a rapidly evolving creative marketplace.