ART serves not only as an object of appreciation but also as a means for noble purposes. As such, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), through its Development Planning Department, organised a programme called ‘Art for Charity- Penang Gurdwara Story’ recently.
The programme was participated by artists from Urban Sketchers Pulau Pinang, Penang Water Colour Society, and Universiti Sains Malaysia, producing art pieces revolving around the George Town area, Jalan Gurdwara BIDS (Business Improvement District Scheme).
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, who attended the certificate of appreciation presentation ceremony on Jan 21 at MBPP City Hall, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen Penang to implement the age-friendly city initiative.
“This initiative is to promote the well-being of the elderly, increase their social and economic participation, and create a more sustainable community.
“MBPP and the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) have signed an agreement with the Malaysian Health Aging Society (MHAS) to introduce the Age Friendly City project.
“There are eight dominions set by the WHO that will be used by MBPP in designing the Age Friendly City programme.
“They are public spaces and buildings, transportation, social/community engagement, mutual respect and inclusivity, civic participation and job opportunities, communication and information, and community support and health services,” Rajendran said during his speech at the ceremony at the MBPP City Hall.
Rajendran also shared that, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the population of individuals aged 60 and above is expected to steadily increase over time.
He also said that, after Perak, Penang currently ranks as the second-highest aging state in Malaysia.
It is learned that 50 art pieces have been displayed since Jan 12 this year. Out of those, 26 art pieces were bid and sold, amounting to RM33,022.
Half of the proceeds from the art sales, collected through the bidding process, will be channeled to the ‘Age-Friendly City’ implementation fund.
This fund is part of the Penang City Council’s initiatives aimed at promoting George Town, Penang as an Age-Friendly City.
The remaining proceeds will be given to the artists as recognition for their artwork.
A total of 30 artists, who took part in the programme, received certificates of appreciation from Rajendran during the event.
The highlight of the event was when the bidders received their art pieces from the artists themselves, witnessed by Rajendran, MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong, and MBPP Town Planning director Mohd Bashir Sulaiman.
One of the artists, Khoo Chiang Jin, presented his artwork, ‘Town Hall’ to Rajendran. While, another artist Anthony Cheah presented his artpiece, ‘City Hall’ to Cheong.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud