Kala Pola back in action

Sri Lanka's very popular open-air art gallery cum art fair, ‘Kala Pola’ comes alive this year on Sunday, 20 January 2008 at the lush Exhibition Grounds of the Viharamahadevi Park at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha in Colombo 07 (opposite the National Art Gallery). Conceived and organised by the George Keyt Foundation, Kala Pola enjoys the unbroken patronage of the John Keells Group for the 15th consecutive year.

This year's Kala Pola will feature over 300 artists and sculptors who will display their creativity to an increasingly appreciative Sri Lankan and expatriate clientele, in a riot of colour and richness and in an atmosphere filled with music, song, fun and contagious bonhomie.

Kala Pola initially took off from the concept of open air summer art fairs in European capitals, like Montmartre in Paris, with their fascinating ambience of colour, exuberance and camaraderie, after a cold and dismal winter and possibly, a chilly spring. In the same spirit, for just one Sunday from sunrise to sunset, artists and sculptors from all over Sri Lanka will converge at Kala Pola… from the better known to the lesser known… showcasing their talents to an encouraging, art-loving public.

President of the George Keyt Foundation, Cedric de Silva said, ‘From its humble beginnings more than a decade ago, Kala Pola has now grown to be a national event. It attracts hundreds of artists and sculptors from all parts of the island who are given the unique opportunity of showcasing their work to a vast number of buyers. This is, indeed, a boon to these highly talented, yet very simple men and women, some of whom may not be able to exhibit in Colombo's regular art galleries;.

Sumithra Gunesekera, Director John Keells Holdings said,‘The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation is strongly committed to supporting the arts and culture of our country. We consider it an honour to extend our patronage to Kala Pola certainly, one of the most celebrated events in Sri Lanka's cultural calendar. Kala Pola provides a platform for budding artists, island wide, to display their work and launch their careers. I am also very happy to note that Kala Pola is a good source of income for these artists, empowering them financially and encouraging them to pursue their careers. Their talent, dedication to their artistry and determination to succeed are certainly an inspiration. We believe that nurturing the arts, is essential to preserving the soul of society and that it is our responsibility to keep the arts alive, giving our continued support whatever and wherever it is needed’.

Established in 2005, the John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation is dedicated to making a positive difference in and enriching the communities in which the Group operates. The Foundation has continued to contribute to already undertaken commitments, as well as accept new ones that would contribute further towards sustainable social and economic goals, earning the company the award of 'Best Corporate Citizen 2007', given by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The inauguration ceremony for Kala Pola 2008 will be at 10.00 am and the fair will continue throughout the day's changing sights and smells, sounds and colours, until the birds come home to roost and dusk settles over Colombo city.