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Perak Contemporary Art Festival 2026 Brings Three Months of Art Activities to Ipoh

Anne Das 2 hours ago

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By Anne Das

Get ready to create, Ipoh peeps.

For the next three months, the Perak Contemporary Art Festival is inviting the public to join in before the main exhibition opens.

Known as PCAF, the festival was founded by Kareem, who is also behind the Ipoh Fine Art Class. For 2026, he is joined by artists, volunteers and creative partners. Following the success of previous editions, the team is continuing its work to build a stronger arts community in Perak.

PCAF founder Kareem (centre) with guests at the 2024 opening of The Garden, which explored nature and transformation.

The idea is to make creativity accessible. People can choose one activity, try several or follow the entire programme as it builds towards October.

The public programme began this month with Sketchbook Club, where participants keep a visual diary, explore new ideas or return to unfinished pages while drawing alongside others.

August also brings Portrait Drawing, which turns attention to the proportions, structure and expressions of the human face. August ends with Sip N’ Sketch, an easy-going evening of drawing and conversation reserved for adults.

Art at the Park encourages the community to slow down and find inspiration in nature.

In September, the programme moves outdoors with Art at the Park. Trees, people, colours, limestone scenery and smaller details in the landscape become subjects waiting to be noticed and drawn.

Sketchbook Club also returns in September, followed by another Sip N’ Sketch evening.

At Sketchbook Club, every age, style and level of experience is welcome

October brings one final Sketchbook Club before the three-month journey culminates in the main PCAF exhibition from 24 to 31 October 2026.

Most activities welcome children and adults. Materials will generally be provided unless stated otherwise. No previous experience is necessary.

This year’s theme is “Change”. Kareem said it was chosen because 2026 has been shaped by fuel crises, war and dangerous weather. Here in Ipoh, storms and floods have damaged homes and disrupted lives.

Contemporary art responds to the world we live in now. It can take the form of painting, sculpture, mixed media, installations or experimental work.

Artist Lye Kuan Yuen’s “Wayang” was among the thought-provoking works in PCAF’s 2024 exhibition.

Around 30 to 40 artists from across Southeast Asia are expected to participate this year. Their work may explore culture, identity, heritage, the environment or everyday life. Some pieces may be beautiful or playful.

Others may be provocative or make us see something familiar in an entirely different way.

“Art helps us document change, understand it and create conversations around it,” Kareem said. “It can also redirect our attention towards hope and imagine what might come next.”

PCAF’s creative sessions are a chance to try something different and meet new people

The theme “Change” will follow PCAF all the way to its October finale.

For the first time, the exhibition will take over the first floor of 1 Lasam, Perak’s first GBI Platinum building and now a community hub. Its open courtyard and green garden bring light, fresh air and nesting tropical birds into the building, making it a fitting setting for “Change”.