Bicolano artists are in high spirits with the foreseen assumption of a more active role of incoming Sorsogon First Lady Heart Evangelista Escudero in Bicol’s art scene.

Heart, an artist herself, whose paintings command a very high price is the guest artist in the opening of Apo: An Art Exhibit happening from 22 June to 22 July in a shopping mall in Legazpi City.

The exhibit was organized to raise funds for a fellow artist, Apo Gonzales, who is afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a rare disease involving the deterioration of motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movements such as chewing and talking.

Gonzales is the former curator of the Albay Museum and was the man behind the Higantes Parade in the Magayon Festival during the governorship of Joey Salceda.

According to Renato Jimenez, his group ArteVista Bicol, initiated the exhibit to honor a man who had greatly contributed to Bicol’s contemporary art.

At least 38 artists participated in the exhibit, including Heart, whose works are now prominently displayed.