International Nature Art Exhibition, an exhibition that had on display paintings based on nature by a host of artists from the South Asia, has concluded in Gaindakot in Nawalparasi, offering a cue to how the mofussil too can emerge as a viable hub for the arts.

Among the onlookers browsing through the paintings on Wednesday was poet Bhupin, who visited the event twice. “Poetry and arts, despite having different mediums, share some common elements,” Bhupin said, in a conversation with the Post, “Poetry is a portrait of colours; painting a poetry of colours.”

Bhupin, who went to the exhibit along with his family, said that visiting the event made for a perfect escape. “These kinds of event were until recently limited to the Capital. An exhibit of this scale being organised in the mofussil itself is an achievement.”

Organised jointly by Kalawati Art Council and Rotary Club of Gaindakot, the exhibit saw a total of 138 artworks, priced from Rs 6,000 to 70,000. During the event, artworks of worth Rs 850,000 were sold in total.

“Besides the promotion of the arts in the region, the exhibit was also successful in advocating the importance of preservation of the wildlife among its visitors,” said Bhim Prasad Sharma, chairperson of the Kalawati Art Coucil. “We are excited by the response the event received—the sale of the works was more than what we had expected, and that it showed the emergence of the region as an arts hub.” The next iteration of the International Nature Art Exhibition will be held in Bangladesh.