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the past two decades, Kala Pola 2014 will bring together to one platform visual artists from around the country.
While Kala Pola 2013 went on for two days due to the celebration of its 20th anniversary, this year it will be a single-day event.
Nevertheless, just as previous years, participants will enjoy visual arts in all forms possible. In store will be a number of entertainment activities along with a café hosted by Cinnamon Grand exclusively for the fair. The atmosphere is set for art lovers to linger, enjoy and eventually buy great pieces of work which are truly one-of-a-kind.
Humble beginnings
Kala Pola began in 1993 drawing inspiration from the open air summer art fairs in numerous European capitals such as the well-known Montmartre in Paris, France. Over the past two decades it served as a successful catalyst in increasing a greater 
appreciation of art among the public of Sri Lanka.
Starting with just 35 artists at that time, the fair grew by 10-fold and now attracts over 300 participants to show case their work. With each passing year the numbers have been rapidly growing and this year the George Keyt Foundation expects a larger crowd of artists and visitors.
George Keyt: An inspiration
George Keyt (1901-1993) was not only a distinguished and renowned modern painter during his times but was also a poet and writer. Instilling meaning into the hard and mechanical principles of cubism, Keyt’s subjects were the Kandyan landscape, its people, and their culture.
Having made an unparallel contribution to art and culture during his days, on 18 June 1988 a group of his admirers and friends established The George Keyt Foundation which was later incorporated on the 1 June 1990.
The foundation takes pride in having immensely contributed in providing opportunities to artists over the last two decades. It played an active role in receiving, promoting and reviving visual arts at the time when it was least appreciated.
Significance of Kala Pola
Sharing the significance of the event on the culture of Sri Lanka, George Keyt Foundation Chairman Cedric de Silva at a press conference in Colombo noted that Kala Pola not only fosters the creation and appreciation of good art, but is also a lucrative source of income for exhibitors.
The Kala Pola being a vital event for both, artists and sculptors to launch and build themselves, it has continued to be a platform for these talents to showcase and market their work to a steady clientele whilst promoting art as a lucrative and professional career.
“Kala Pola has been the launching pad where several artists have launched successful professional careers and some even in the international arena. It provides a venue for artists to learn from one another, thereby developing and enhancing Sri Lankan art,” said John Keells Holdings Head of CSR Nadija Tambiah.
Given the large audiences Kala Pola has attracted over the years, one now sees more original art adorning the walls of homes and offices both in Sri Lanka and overseas. According to Tambiah, the great appreciation and promotion of art within Sri Lanka is core to the objectives of the George Keyt Foundation, and the JKH Group expressed it is contented to be a part of this exciting endeavour.
Sharing that last year Kala Pola recorded sales of about Rs 10 million, Tambiah said: “When you think about that figure it is both humbling and exciting that an event of this nature can support the livelihood of artists at this scale. I would like to take this opportunity to salute the George Keyt Foundation for its efforts in continuously supporting artists.”
Kala Pola is an event that is free of charge and is open to the public as it has always been in previous years. Having become a major tourist attraction over the years, people gather in its signature ambiance of bonhomie camaraderie and take in the infectious feeling of an exciting summer art-fest right in the heart of Colombo.
Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera
