On Saturday, February 25th, Kri Restaurant and Hersley Casero hosted Dumaguete’s first art auction benefit. In response to recent tragic events of flood and earthquake, about 40 Dumagueteños came together to in support of our neighbors and to celebrate the gift of life and art. Kri, the “neighborhood restaurant”, provided a comfortable space and nourishment. And local photographer and painter, Hersley Casero donated two large oil-on-canvas paintings for auction and raffle.
“I believe that as an artist of Dumaguete, my role is to help our fellow Dumagueteños through the talent that I have, and that talent is the gift of painting. God gave me this gift because He knows that someday I will use this for the welfare of those who are in need,” says Casero.
Valued at P80,000 1,000 Pictures per Second was the vivid and multi-layered secondary piece featuring a wall of photographers. Measuring 6 feet by 4 feet, it is one of several paintings in the Crowd Series by Casero. Drawing entries started at P2,000 for one — or P5,000 for five. The drawing raised P35,000 overall for relief efforts.
The central piece for auction was the dragon painting that has been on display at Kri Restaurant for a month. Valued at P100,000 Untitled 2012 is also oil on canvas with paper collage dragon (made up of receipts collected by the artist since 2007). Measuring 12 feet by 6 feet, it is the largest painting yet by Casero — painted in commemoration of the bravery and camaraderie of Dumageteños in response to Tropical Storm Sendong, December 2012.
Before bidding began, event organizer and new Advancement Officer for Foundation University, Amy Villanueva shared a few words with the gathered crowd. “As a newcomer to Dumaguete, I have been much impressed by the way in with both my husband and I have been received and encouraged to play a role. It is not just that we’ve been welcomed, but that we’ve been invited to participate — and that is truly something special…as demonstrated tonight, it is clear that Dumaguete is a place of not only gentle people, but gentle people with great spirit and an interest in developing their community.”
And Casero reiterated, “I know that being here tonight and supporting this event is already an act of kindness and for that I am very proud to be with all of you here. And this act of kindness will be like the Dragon’s breath of fire that will brighten the darker days of our province and be an inspiration for the future generation.”
When bidding closed half an hour later, the auction had raised P100,001 for charity. Harry de los Santos, was the happy winner of 1,000 Pictures per Second and Luis G. Sinco, photojournalist of the Los Angeles Times sent in the winning bid for Untitled 2012, narrowly outbidding arts enthusiasts Regine and Joachim from Dauin.
All in all, a tremendous success for the first-time experiment, and we hope it will not be the last! Beneficiaries, Dumaguete Social Welfare Office and Foundation University shared their thanks and gratitude for the generosity of all involved. And as Casero says, there is much in store for the year 2012, “have you seen the dragon? Look inside your heart and search for the dragon deep within.”
