SM J Mall hosts ‘NAGARE’ for “Arts from All” 2026 initiative in Cebu

CEBU CITY –The SM J Mall in Mandaue City hosted “NAGARE”, a Japanese-inspired art installation at the Izakaya Terrace on June 8, featuring nine koi fish, crafted from 5,000 collected plastic bottles for the “Arts for All 2026” initiative of SM Supermalls in the Visayas.

NAGARE is a Japanese word meaning "flow" or "current, describing the art installation with the nine koi fish moving together as one current, they represent the power of unity and the shared journey toward growth and positive change.

The koi fish, in Japanese culture is a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and transformation.  Crafted from over 5,000 plastic bottles and other discarded materials, the artwork transforms into a powerful expression of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Eric Valenzuela, SM J Mall manager, in his opening message welcomed guests, partners, artists, media, colleagues, and the public to SMJ Mall, highlighting the significance of the event, presenting it as a region-wide initiative of SM Super Malls in the Visayas, focusing on transforming community action into meaningful works of art.

“The campaign aims to foster appreciation for creativity and sustainability through collective efforts from shoppers, partners, artists, and advocates. More than 40,000 plastic bottles were gathered and transformed into nine remarkable installations across various malls in the Visayas,” Valenzuela said.

He said that SMJ Mall believes its spaces can be platformed for inspiration, learning, and positive change, beyond just shopping and leisure. The installation was created through the collaboration of artist and designer D’oro Barandino, Project Tapuk, and JCI Cebu, demonstrating how art can inspire awareness and meaningful community action to inspire a more sustainable future.

Valenzuela mentioned that Arts from All campaign received international recognition for its innovative approach to sustainability and community engagement. In 2025, the campaign earned a silver award at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Maxi Awards, highlighting its ability to transform environmental responsibility into an immersive public art experience.

The campaign also garnered a bronze award at the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, emphasizing the impact of turning plastic waste into art. These awards affirmed the potential of simple ideas to inspire communities and create meaningful environmental impact.

“We hope that NAGARE and the installations across SM Supermalls in the Visayas will inspire everyone to see sustainability as an opportunity for positive change,” Valenzuela added. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

19 artists unveil "Essence of Oneness" at Kyureto Art Gallery at SM J Mall

MANDAUE CITY -- Kyureto Art Gallery unveiled its "Essence of Oneness" the newest collection of 19 artists celebrating together and embracing collective creativity on April 28 at SM J Mall, following the successful launch of the gallery on March 15 this year.

Kyureto Art Gallery continues to elevate the Cebuano art scene by showcasing fresh perspectives and bringing in new collections of artists featuring the works of Lida Maria Aguilar, Enzo Benedicto, Ariel Caratao, Wenceslao Cuevas, Jr., Michael Dondoyano, Reynan Dingal, Jun Impas, Zapphire Benedikt Jayme, Kim Hee Jung, Miriam Kim, Tatz Lee, Jogen Mil, Celso Pepito, Fe Pepito, Ruel Rosello, Antonio Vidal, Marlowe Villagonzalo, Choi Vina, and Marlon Ylanan.

As creative individuals, they bring distinct perspectives and artistic expressions to the table, embracing their uniqueness while striving for a common goal.  These artists have chosen to respect and appreciate each other’s individuality rather than suppressing their own voices, they’ve harnessed their distinctiveness to create something greater than the sum of its parts— “Essence of Oneness.”

The exhibit is a powerful reminder that diversity can unite, proving that even the most distinct artistic voices can harmonize to create something new and to reinforce Kyureto Art Gallery’s mission to be a platform for evolving artistic dialogue and innovation.

Throughout the opening, guests were treated to a diverse and colorful array of artworks that showcased the artists’ distinctive styles yet reflected a shared commitment to unity and artistic collaboration. This exhibition is a celebration of the beauty that emerges when unique perspectives and talents converge.

"Essence of Oneness" is now open to the public and will continue to run at the Kyureto Art Gallery (2nd level, across SM Appliance Center), offering visitors the opportunity to experience this fresh celebration of creativity and connection.   For inquiries and updates, check out SM J Mall on Facebook. (Photos: SM JMall/Rosemarie Rodriguez)