Feb 01, Kathmandu - The ‘Lumbini Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition’ has been organized by the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts and co-organized by the Nepal Professional Artists Association, Rupandehi and Kalika Manavgyan Secondary School.

The exhibition, which began on Saturday, was jointly inaugurated by the Academy’s Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchhali and Butwal Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Khelraj Pandey.

The Academy’s Chancellor Hartamchhali said that fine arts have special importance for the physical development of the nation and society, along with culture, peace and social development. He informed that the provincial fine arts exhibition was organized with the aim of making local people aware of the need to raise the essence of art from the roots in Nepal.

Butwal Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Pandey emphasized the need to develop Butwal as a major commercial center and a historical area with potential, and said that artists should present these themes through art. He pledged that the municipality would provide necessary support and coordination for conducting such activities.

Dineshwor Mahato, Head of the Sculpture Department of the Academy and Coordinator of the Lumbini Province Coordination Committee, emphasized that the province and local levels should play a leading role in the development and promotion of fine arts in their regions. He informed that the exhibition includes artworks that cover various aspects of people's lives along with the promotion of art, culture, and tourism of Lumbini Province.

Similarly, speakers at the program included Sanjay Bantawa, Head of the Contemporary Painting Department of the Academy, Jupiter Pradhan, Member of the Academic Council, Pitambar Banjade, Assistant Principal of Kalika Manavgyan Secondary School, and artist HB Ramtel.

The welcoming remarks at the program were delivered by Dilip Rasali, President of the Nepal Professional Artists Association Rupandehi, and Junga Pahadi, Director. The exhibition includes more than 150 artworks by 115 artists related to contemporary painting/sculpture, crafts and handicrafts, architecture and folk art, multi-dimensional and other creative arts. The art exhibition, promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board, will be held until Magh 21.