Cover Art Caravan offers an innovative and creative space that does more than just offer a wide range of art supply products
Art Caravan offers an innovative and creative space that does more than just offer a wide range of art supply products
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Situated in BGC, Art Caravan offers an innovative and creative space that does more than just offer a wide range of art supply products
Filipino local artists were among the people gravely affected by the pandemic–but thanks to Art Caravan, art materials such as paint, pastels, canvases, and sketch sheets are within anybody's reach. Initially, the shop catered to family and close friends, all of whom could reach out through Viber to place orders.
Francis Lim, who leads the charge for Art Caravan recalls, “We were getting a lot of images of artworks. Because of that, we created the Art Caravan Instagram account as a platform for all of us to express ourselves through art. A year later, we also started our own Facebook page.”
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Above Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
Above Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
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Above Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
Above Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
Art Caravan is at the second floor The Forum in BGC (Photo: Art Caravan)
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The building of the Art Caravan space on the second floor of The Forum in BGC soon followed. The team enlisted interior designer Cecil Ravelas, to turn vision into reality. It was a serendipitous meeting of the minds, recalls Francis and the team at Art Caravan. “We wanted to build a cosy space that would make everyone feel at home. When you walk into Art Caravan it’s like someone’s hugging you. It’s warm, engaging, and friendly. It was also important for us that our visitors are welcomed into a feel-good kind of space that makes them smile when they walk in.”
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The brightly lit 128-square-metre space was designed to convey just that. Instead of utilising the usual shelves and racks, custom alcoves were built to showcase a wide range of premium, hard-to-find art supplies. They were built not only for display but for clever storage of high-quality inventory as well. Island display tables at the centre feature sculptural details that ring in a sense of flow and movement.
Empty tubes painted in white hang overhead like grand chandeliers. They follow a wave-like pattern, enticing visitors to walk towards the back where the creative workshop area lies. Cecil explains: “The paint tubes are like notes to music. You can create different movements and music. Everyone can express themselves differently so I think each of us can have a paint tube and produce beautiful works…That’s what this space is all about.” The installation overhead is regarded as the pièce de résistance that mirrors ART CARAVAN’s ethos for bringing the art experience to everyone. Francis explains, “We’d like to be the Starbucks for artists where there is space for everyone to meet up, connect, create art, and share ideas. It’s a safe space and everyone is welcome to linger for free.”
Thanks to Art Caravan, art materials such as paint, pastels, canvases, and sketch sheets are within anybody's reach.(Photo: Art Caravan)
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The Art Caravan space first opened in November 2022, operating only during weekends. Today, its doors are open daily from 12nn to 9pm. “People have been coming to the space mostly through word of mouth. Some were invited by friends to hang out. Since we opened, we’ve welcomed beginners, hobbyists, enthusiasts and even experts through our doors. All from the ages of 5 to 90," shares Lim.
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Credits
Images: Art Caravan
Words: Before Deadlines
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
