KUCHING: Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) is set to strengthen its cultural footprint through a proposed large scale art festival in 2026, in collaboration with the Sarawak Artists Society (SAS), to be held in conjunction with the Kuching City Day celebration.

DBKU Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman announced the initiative when officiating the 40th Annual Art Exhibition of SAS, themed Heritage Reloaded, at Wesberly Galleria on Friday night.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible diversity and talent of our local artists on a greater scale,” he said, adding that the event aims to unite creative communities and elevate Kuching’s standing as a centre for art and cultural innovation.

He said DBKU’s proposed collaboration with SAS reflects its long term vision to create meaningful platforms for artistic exchange and community engagement, strengthening Kuching’s position as a vibrant city of culture in line with its 2019 designation as a World Crafts Council City of Craft.

“This spirit of creativity and cultural pride is very much alive in the works showcased at Heritage Reloaded.

Art is not merely a reflection of our past, but a dynamic force that breathes new life into our traditions and stories,” he said.

Dato Hilmy also highlighted DBKU’s ongoing initiatives to promote art and culture through exhibitions such as 'Pameran Lukisan Kuching' by Jaja Yusuf, 'Pameran Seni Islam' with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), and 'Mujarad Alam Borneo' by Azrian Ali, along with the upcoming Borneo International Islamic Art and Digital Technology Expo 2026.

He reaffirmed DBKU’s commitment to supporting platforms that celebrate cultural identity and empower creative industries.

“Art has the power to transform how we see our surroundings and ourselves. It strengthens our sense of belonging and pride as Kuchingites, Sarawakians and Malaysians,” he said.

Supported by Majlis Seni Sarawak, the Heritage Reloaded exhibition features 44 artists presenting works that reinterpret Borneo’s heritage through paintings, installations, mixed media and digital expressions.

It is open to the public from 17 October to 16 November 2025 at Wesberly Galleria, Kuching, with free admission for all. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Alezxandria Kapple
Photographer: Douglas Demong