‘Meet the Artists’ programme held in Mysuru

At least 30 artists from Mysuru participated in a ‘Meet the Artists’ programme organised for the first time in Mysuru by Bengaluru-based art initiative ‘Art Park’.

The artists participated in the programme with their live artworks at the premises of the Indian Heritage Cities Network, also known as the ‘Heritage House’ on Kantharaj Urs Road in Mysuru, on Sunday, allowing art lovers to personally experience the styles and creativity of the artists.

Founded in 2014 in Bengaluru under the inspiration of renowned artist S.G. Vasudev, ‘Art Park’ is a platform that seeks to bring artists and the common man together by making art easily accessible to the general public, bridging the gap between artists and their audiences.

Chairperson of the Art Park Ms. Bhagya Ajaikumar, who is also the founder of Swasti Contemporary Art Gallery, said 91 such events had been held every second Saturday of the month at Shilpavana in the Ravindra Kalakshetra premises in Bengaluru so far, where about 20-25 artists not just from Bengaluru, but from other parts of the State as well, displayed their art, interacted with visitors, and shared insights into their creative processes. 

“We decided to hold the 92nd event in Mysuru”, said Ms. Ajaikumar, expressing satisfaction over the “overwhelming” response. 

The artists who participated in the day-long programme included Raghavendra, Gururaj Nayak, Raghavendra K., Yoganand, Vijaya Rao, Vichar, Manjunath (who is also the CAVA Alumni Association president), Surya (secretary of CAVA Alumni Association), S.N. Siddaram, and Venugopal. “The initiative not only celebrated the artistic talent of Mysuru, but also strengthened the city’s position as an emerging hub for contemporary art,” said a statement by the organisers.

The Mysuru event, organised in collaboration with HCG Hospital and Bharat Cancer Hospital and Institute of Oncology, brought together both renowned award-winning artists and emerging talent, providing budding artists an opportunity to interact with established names, helping gain valuable exposure.

The artists participating in the event created live artworks without restriction on any specific theme, allowing for free expression, individual style and creativity, the organisers said.

“This inaugural Mysuru event marked a significant step in bringing contemporary visual art closer to the public, giving residents a chance to engage, learn, and appreciate art on a personal level,” added Ms. Ajaikumar

Chairman of HCG Hospitals and Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, B.S. Ajaikumar, stressed the importance of supporting all art forms, particularly by providing opportunities, scholarships, and mentorship to young and rural artists.

Praising the strong response to the Mysuru event, he affirmed that the programme would continue to identify and promote talent, with plans to expand these initiatives further in the future, reinforcing the city’s vibrant cultural ecosystem.