National Students Art Competition
Artists have the power to channel their voice into their craft to command change. On Shell's 57th National Students Art Competition, we invite them to use their creativity and charge forward through art.
Onwards and Upwards: Exploring Creativity at the first-ever 6 Month Exhibit for Shell NSAC Winners
Onwards and Upwards: Exploring Creativity at the first-ever 6 Month Exhibit for Shell NSAC Winners
Celebrating the National Arts Month, Shell Pilipinas Corporation launched the 57th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) and opened a 6-month exhibit at the National Musuem of Fine Arts. With the theme, 'Lika na, Likha pa ng Obra', the competition invites student artists to explore their creativity and continue crafting masterpieces showcasing Philippines progress. Renowned artist Renato Habulan curated the exhibit, "Onwards and Upwards," showcasing Shell NSAC's winning artworks from 2020 to 2023, offering a glimpse into the evolution of Filipino creativity.
Onwards and Upwards: Celebrating Shell's 110th Year with the Launch of the 57th Shell NSAC and Opening of the 6-month Exhibit. At the event, Shell NSAC alumni, known as the "Masters" was recognized inspiring young artists to unleash their creative potential and continue to highlight Filipino excellence in the arts.
The exhibition of Shell NSAC winning artworks will be on display for six months, offering an extended opportunity for art enthusiasts and aspiring artists to explore and appreciate the showcased artworks. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9AM to 6PM, the exhibition welcomes visitors of all ages, offering free admission until August 25, 2024.
For those interested to join the 57th Shell National Students Art Competition, please submit your entries here.
Shell National Students Art Competition Through The Years
Title: Shell National Students Art Competition Through The Years
Duration: 04:26
Description:
A video narrating how Shell National Students Art Competition progresses through the years.
For more than half a century, Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) 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
‘Lika na, Likha pa ng Obra
As Filipinos, our grit, resilience, determination, and collaboration have fueled remarkable progress, turning aspirations into realities. And our journey continues. We have come so far, but a long, beautiful road still lies ahead. Filipinos. Deeply rooted in tradition and community, we will continue to celebrate success and navigate challenges as one nation, powered by the achievements of the past and a shared hope for the future.
In line with the Shell companies in the Philippines’ 110-year presence in the country, the 57th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) will focus on the Filipino’s power to change for the better as it continues moving forward. The youth will be challenged to reflect progress and positive transformation in their art; taking inspiration from our culture, traditions, values, and people, student artists can showcase Filipino potential and how we harness that potential into personal growth, community development, societal improvement, and even nation building.
Shell National Students Art Competition marks 57 years of empowering Filipino artists
Partners with National Museum for a 6-month exhibit featuring Shell NSAC winners
8 Filipino Art Masters Who Started as Student Art Winners
Whether artists are born or made is debatable, but the talents and contributions of these renowned masters in the Filipino art scene are undeniable.