National Students Art Competition
Artists have the power to channel their voice into their craft to command change. On Shell's 55th National Students Art Competition, we invite them to use their creativity and charge forward through art.
Shell 55th National Students Art Competition Through The Years
Description:
For more than half a century, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) has inspired Filipino youths to showcase their artistry and creativity through the annual Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC). At the forefront of championing arts in nation-building and values formation, Shell NSAC has continually mounted exhibits to showcase the works of young Filipino artists to reach more audiences and recognize the talents of these students.
(00:00 - 00:03) Music with Quick cuts of NSAC Artworks
(00:03 - 00:09) “A quest for a subject for its 1952 calendar”: In the years after World War II, there was a collective effort of nation-building in the Philippines.
(00:09 – 00:23) “Many considered visual arts unimportant in the of WW2”: Despite a push for artistic awareness though, there was a misconception that art was not included, nor needed Thus, the visual arts remained largely unavailable to the masses, especially to the youth.
(00:23 – 00:33) “The Goal: Make the arts more accessible to the common Juan”: This is where Shell stepped in, seeing an opportunity to help nurture and promote Filipino talents, and in doing so, making art more accessible to the common Juan.
(00:33 – 00:44) “A quest for a subject for its 1952 calendar”: So the first ever Shell National Students Art Competition was launched, prompted by a modest company memorandum: “A quest for a subject for its 1952 calendar”
(00:44 – 01:00) “Montage of 1951 NSAC paintings, ending with the 1st Prize entry: Congested City”: About 50 original paintings by students from the country’s leading art schools vied for the win, which was to be the artwork on the cover of the 1952 Shell Oil calendar, and P250 as a cash prize for its artist.
(01:00 – 01:04) “It was the start of a beloved tradition in the Philippine Art scene”
(01:04 – 01:12) “The longest running student art competition”: For the next two decades, Shell held NSAC every year, to the delight of young Filipino artists everywhere.
(01:12 – 01:23) “NSAC Proved the youth were the key to greater and richer Philippine Art”: The success of the first Shell NSAC had proved that the nation was rife with artistic talents, and the youth especially were poised to enrich Philippine art in a scale never seen before.
(01:23 – 01:34) “Montage of prize winning/notable NSAC Paintings”: Every year, more and more student artists participated in the competition, with the prizes and prestige growing alongside the number of artwork submitted.
(01:34 – 01:40) “NSAC Categories”: New categories were even introduced to give participants more ways to express their talents.
(01:40 – 01:56) “Quick cuts of photos of notable NSAC artists”: It was clear Shell NSAC had become much more than just a calendar art making competition. It was now a recognized and respected platform for budding new artists, many of whom enjoyed very successful careers, both locally and internationally.
(01:56 – 02:02) “No NSAC for 16 years”: In September 1972, the entire country was placed under Martial Law.
(02:02 – 02:10) “Martial Law stock footages and photos”: Because of the tumultuous times, Shell NSAC withdrew from the Philippine art scene, putting an end to a then 21-year old tradition.
(02:10 – 02:13) “Ibangon ang Shell art contest!”
(02:13 – 02:20) “The return of Shell NSAC”: After 16 years on pause, the Shell National Students Art Competition was revived due to popular demand.
(02:20 – 02:27) “Quick cuts of different NSAC theme logos/key visuals”: And Shell NSAC was ready to once again serve as inspiration and amplifier for young Filipino artistry.
(02:27 – 02:34) “The competition restarted with Oil/Acrylic and Watercolor categories”: Making use of its fresh start, the competition went back to basics with Oil/Acrylic and Watercolor categories.
(02:34 – 02:41) “Sculpture was brought back in 1998. The virtual age led to the introduction of the Digital Fine Arts category”: Then eventually brought back the Sculpture category, and introduced Digital Fine Arts at the turn of the millennium.
(02:41 – 02:52) “As Shell NSAC made its mark in the 21st century, it gained many milestones and success along the way”: Indeed, As Shell NSAC settled into its second life – now perhaps a little more familiar-looking to its modern-day participants. It gained Many milestones and successes along the way.
(02:52 – 02:57) “Shell NSAC Artist who became national artists”: Shell NSAC alumni artists were named national artists.
(02:57 – 03:05) “Shell NSAC notable artist who received prestigious awards with their winning artworks”: And countless more did the NSAC legacy proud, receiving great acclaim in the art scene and exhibiting all over the world.
(03:05 – 03:13) “Action Shots: People at galleries, art shows, etc.”: But then, right as Shell NSAC was about to celebrate its 53rd year, a global crisis forced everyone into lockdown.
(03:13 – 03:17) “Going online – a new era for NSAC”
(03:17 – 03:26) “Pandemic stock footages and photos”: The COVID-19 pandemic changed everyday living for everyone. The youth, perhaps more so than anyone else, had to get used to a new normal.
(03:26 – 03:40) “Shell NSAC knew it needs to continue the tradition”: But just as this generation stepped up and showed its resilience, so too did Shell NSAC rise to the challenge, determined to continue the tradition, and provide an inspiration to many Filipinos in times of COVID-19 crisis
(03:40 – 03:50) “The competition was moved online, sparking hope in the art and hearts of the nation”: For the first time ever, the competition was moved online. And in doing so, succeeded in sparking hope back in the art and hearts of the nation.
(03:50 – 03:57) “The milestone year marked a change in the NSAC experience”: The milestone year marked a change in the Shell NSAC experience, drawing in and exciting more students than ever.
(03:57 – 04:14) “Now on its 55th year, NSAC will continue to grow and evolve with the times”: Now on its 55th year, NSAC will continue to grow and evolve with the times. And, just as it set out to do in 1951, it will nation-build through art -- recognizing, developing, and promoting the artistic potential of the Filipino youth.
(04:14 – 04:21) Collage of different NSAC artworks through the year and forming the Shell Pecten
(04:21 – 04:26) Shell Sound
PUTTING A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL PROGRESS
The Filipino people share a culture of innovation and imagination. A country that always pushes forward no matter the hurdles along the way, it has wholeheartedly embraced the idea of evolution, adapting traditions and techniques to the times. This has allowed the nation to honor its heritage but still continue onwards to the future.
For the 56th NSAC, student artists will be challenged to create art that puts a spotlight on local ingenuity and progress. Through art, they can show how their communities have empowered their people, uplifted the environment, and left a positive impact in the world.
By sharing their creative talents, the youth can showcase how the Philippines, as a whole and as a united nation of regional identities and legacies, is always progressing forward.
Young artists’ vision for the future shines in Pilipinas Shell’s 55th National Students Art Competition culminating event
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation’s 55th National Students Art Competition (NSAC) culminated in a showcase of the young artists’ vision for the future and how their creativity is bringing diverse people together. Out of the more than 1,000 students who joined nationwide, three young artists were awarded as winners in each of the artistic categories like Digital Fine Arts, Sculpture, Watercolor, and Oil and Acrylic.
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