As the flame trees begin to blossom this April, the Flame Tree Arts Festival will once again celebrate the rich art of island cultures when it opens next Thursday.<\/p>\n
In its 34th year, Commonwealth Council of Arts and Culture executive director Angel Hocog would also like to remember the handful of artists who\u2019ve passed away recently and who helped make the festival memorable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just sad that they didn\u2019t make it to be part of this year\u2019s celebration,\u201d Hocog said. \u201cBut of course, even though they are gone, their memories will live through their legacy in arts and craft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hocog remembers Ignacio C. Borja, whom he called a traditional craftsman. The council also remembers Rosa T. Castro, a performing artist in traditional dance, and Torcuatro M. Cuastro, whose talent was in drawing.<\/p>\n
William I. Macaranas was a \u201cstrong advocate of the culture,\u201d particularly in the indigenous languages of Chamorro and Carolinian, he added.<\/p>\n
Abel Pellegrino, another artist who passed away since the last festival, participated as an entertainer. He sang and played guitar. And Josepha I. Teregeyo was a craftswoman in beads and mwar-mwars.<\/p>\n
To highlight local artists next week, the festival will also hold 5TH Annual CNMI Art Competition. Bridge Capital is sponsoring this year\u2019s competition with over $13,000 in cash prizes.<\/p>\n
Competition categories are Best of Show, Paintings, Wood Carving and Others, Photography, Texter\u2019s Choice Award, Governor\u2019s Choice Award, and Best New Artist.<\/p>\n
Entries will be showcased at the Susupe basketball court and competition winners will be announced on stage during the festival.<\/p>\n
About 50 vendors are expected to participate in this year\u2019s festival. Hocog said 40 of these are artists and 10 are food vendors.<\/p>\n
Hocog said invitations were also sent to regional artists but all of them declined as they have chosen to prepare funds for the Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam next year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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