2008 was a fantastic year for all of us at VAST. We have come a long way, since 1998. We are 10 years old, and what a ride it has been.
Look at all of us. How much we have changed. How much we have grown. Remember coming to VAST the first time? Did you ever think that you’d last 10 years? I think most of us were too young even to think 10 days in the future, let alone 10 years. For those of us who could see 10 days into the future, we were too bewildered by the art, and by the friendship, those very things what make VAST a very special part of us.
Before I get carried away with the sentimental stuff, let me remind ourselves why we have to be very proud of ourselves about what we have done in 2008.
In no particular order, these are some of the things that we managed to pull off:
Designed and produced the world’s biggest conch (Dungkar) for the Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations
The conch was used as the centerpiece for a beautiful dance involving about 800 children during His Majesty’s Coronation celebrations on the 7th November. The dance was re-performed, by popular demand, for the second time the next day. The conch is 10 feet tall and it is sculpted out of styrofoam. It was commissioned to us by the command of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, after it was almost decided that it was too complicated to be produced in Bhutan.
Designed posters, t-shirts, caps and bumper stickers celebrating the Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations
These designs were commissioned to us by His Majesty’s Secretariat.
Designed souvenirs for the Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations
A first time for all of us, we had to create designs which involved creating Bhutanese elements inside paper-weight glass spheres. These souvenirs were gifted to Royal guests at the Coronation Celebrations.
Designed and produced a mural painting for the His Majesty the fifth king’s Linkana Palace in Punakha
Face coloring of the life-size statue of the first Druk Gyalpo for the celebration of National Day (17th December 2008)
Coronation and Centenary photo coverage for the royal archive
One of our members served His Majesty as a Royal Photographer during the Coronation Celebrations.
Framed and displayed rare photographs of the third King’s Royal Wedding Photo Exhibition at Folk Heritage Museum
Participated in the Youth Festival organized by Department of Youth Centre
Designed and produced signage for the Nazhoen Pelri Youth Development Center (YDF)
Designed and produced information boards at the Youth Development Center (YDF) in Thimphu
Designed packaging of the K5 and 1907 special edition whiskeys to mark the Coronation and the Centenary Celebrations
Our designs were not used in the eventual product packaging but they have been very strongly influenced by our conceptual designs.
Participated in an Art Exhibition with 7 Nepalese Artist at Druk Hotel
Participated in the “Living Canvas” Art Exhibition with Nepalese artist organized by Kasthamandap Art Studio
Participated in a week long Craft Festival organized by the Textile Museum
Participated in a week long outdoor workshop in North India with Youreka, sponsored by Royal Education Council
Organized and hosted a photo exhibition on the 42nd Smithsonian Folk Life Festival at in Washington DC
Organized a 7 day summer camp “Youth Interaction through Art” in Tsirang for 120 students
Designed and produced Murals for 42nd Folk Life Festival at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC
Participated in the 42nd Smithsonian Folk life Festival, Washington DC
Participated in the Golden Youth Awards, organized by Youth Development Fund
Participated in the Regional Young Champion Workshop for children and women in Nepal
Designed a hand book for monks to restore and renovate religious artifacts, for the Royal Textile Academy
Participated in the Seal Competition (Seal of Excellence and Seal of Quality) organized by Ministry of Trade and Industry
Participated in Druk Green Power Corporation logo Competition
Produced 40 water color paintings for the Royal Government
These paintings were presented as gifts the Royal Government to vip foreign guests at the Centenary and Coronation Celebrations
Designed the new logo for the Bank of Bhutan
Designed the Druk Holding and Investments logo
Designed the Netherlands’ Alumni Association of Bhutan (NAAB)
Designed the GRC logo
Designed and hosted the 10th VAST anniversary exhibition
Help organized and hosted the French Film Festival
Conducted regular week end classes on basic drawing, watercolor, acrylic, collage and mixed media
Started the food aid, debt relief and establishment of the first Rice Bank Project in 2 villages in Punakha.
This is a special project managed by VAST volunteers to break the poverty cycle in rural Bhutan.
Have we forgotten any?
3 Comments
nope au.. u got it all…wow we have been doing a lot…
I think missed one…
Participated in NEC logo Competition
wow… I wish to be part of VAST.
I’m currently working as Executive Creative Director at a top International company. This June I will quit my role and would like to contribute a bit of my expertise to VAST.
I have been working on design and marketing for over 15 years. I’m willing to be a volunteer in VAST for at least 6 months to a year depending on the availability of a vacant position.
Here’s my personal blog http://vanceleeteng.blogspot.com
Hope to hear from VAST.