“Believe in Art” – an exhibition of work by students and teachers from Macao Polytechnic Institute’s School of Arts – can be seen at the IFT Café until 5 December. The showcase builds on the success of the 2 previous exhibitions held at the venue since the Café opened its doors in June 2016.
“This exhibition is a new collaboration with the Macao Polytechnic Institute,” says IFT Vice President Ms. Florence Ian. “We are very happy that the 2 institutions are working together closely to contribute to Macao’s creative industries in terms of training and education,” she adds.
The IFT Café is located on the waterfront of the Nam Van Lake. It not only serves food and drinks, but it also provides training to IFT students. The outlet additionally operates as a venue to promote culture, and regularly hosts exhibitions featuring local artwork.
“So far we are very happy with the IFT Café project,” Ms. Ian says. According to her, the venue is welcoming on average approximately 3,000 customers per month.
The IFT Café is part of an effort by the Macao SAR Government to revitalise the Nam Van Lake area and turn it into a new leisure and tourism hub. Other Government bodies involved in the overall revitalisation project for the area – a zone that has been named “Anim’Arte Nam Van” – include: the Cultural Affairs Bureau; the Sports Bureau; and the Macao Government Tourism Office.
Artistic debut
Chen Wen Qian is one of the students to have her work featured in the “Believe in Art” exhibition. “I am very happy to have my painting here,” she says. “This is the first time one of my paintings has been selected for an exhibition.”
She says the IFT Café provides a good platform for young local artists to exhibit their art to a wider audience, as many locals and tourists visit the outlet. “I think it is a good chance to show my paintings,” she states.
Dr. Tina Chen agrees. She is the Programme Coordinator of the Visual Art Bachelor Degree Programme at the Macao Polytechnic Institute. Students “were excited” to know that they would have their work featured at the IFT Café, she says.
Dr. Chen adds: “It is a very good experience that students can spread their artworks outside the campus – it is good for establishing a dialogue with Macao’s people and with tourists.”
The exhibition features art produced at the 5 studios within the Visual Art Bachelor Degree Programme: Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics.
The Macao Polytechnic Institute’s School of Arts was established in 1989: it was initially called the Visual Arts Institute and run by Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. In 1993, it was incorporated into the Polytechnic Institute. It is the only place in Macao offering bachelor degree programmes in design, visual arts and music.
