News
Chapter 2: Dreams” – Art for a Cause by JIS Students
Front Row (The Jakarta Post) September 20, 2024
(Asmaraloka Chapters)
Vibrant weekend activities transformed a quiet corner of Ashta District 8 into a lively celebration of creativity and compassion. The Asmaraloka Chapters’ art exhibition brought not only beauty to the space but also a powerful mission: raising funds to support the education of underprivileged children across Indonesia.
Founded by students of the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), Asmaraloka Chapters seeks to merge artistic expression with social impact.
"Our mission is to host art exhibitions to raise funds for the education of children in Indonesia because we believe that education is the cornerstone of a better future," said Edeena Wahsono, project director of Asmaraloka Chapters.
The exhibition, titled Chapter 2: Dreams, conveyed the hopes and aspirations of the younger generation. Visitors were treated to an array of powerful, emotion-laden works.
“We are really encouraging the youth of Indonesia to express their creativity, and at the same time, we are helping many children in need of education in Indonesia,” added Sophia Pangestu, art director of the initiative.
The event kicked off with a performance by children from Wahana Harapan School, who captivated the audience with their rendition of “Yamko Rambe Yamko”, a traditional Papuan song performed in the Sentani language, underscoring the themes of peace and cultural history.
As attendees moved through the exhibition, they experienced not just the art but the stories and aspirations that fueled each creation. For many of the young artists, this marked their first opportunity to showcase their work to the public. "I never noticed how aspirational these local artists are. The theme of 'Dreams' really inspired them, and it's a versatile theme that resonates with everyone," Sophia said.
Beyond the visual impact, Chapter 2: Dreams was a platform for many young talents, with Asmaraloka Chapters striving to create a ripple effect—offering these artists a space to grow and be recognized. The team leveraged social media to discover over 200 young artists from across the country, ranging in age from 15 to 30.
This year’s event featured Proyek Mimpi, a collaboration where orphans' dreams were transformed into poetry, and two striking paintings created by children with disabilities from Perempuan Tangguh Indonesia, an organization dedicated to empowering those with special needs.
The group partnered with World Harvest, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering communities through education and social services. World Harvest’s Sponsor a Child program shares a vision with Asmaraloka Chapters, and 100 percent of the exhibition's proceeds went toward supporting the education of underprivileged children in Indonesia.
Among the supporters of the exhibition was the Bakti Barito Foundation, whose commitment to education and community development aligns with the goals of the event.
"Asmaraloka was created not only to inspire but to nurture creativity and passion across generations," Sophia concluded. "From the artists to the kids, to the visitors, our space seeks to immerse everyone in the endless possibilities of dreams."
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
