By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang

KOROR, Palau (June 30, 2025) — A vibrant art exhibition featuring the works of Palauan’s artists, both local and abroad, is drawing visitors during the Pacific Mini Games, offering a cultural counterpoint to the athletic events.

Titled “Our Island, Endurance and He(art) Exhibition,” the showcase is housed on the first floor of the One-Stop Shop building and runs daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the duration of the games. The exhibition presents paintings and crafts by 15 artists, celebrating Palauan identity, creativity, and resilience.

In a press conference last Wednesday, Minister of Human Resource, Culture, Tourism and Development (MHRCTD) Ngirai Tmetuchel encouraged athletes and guests to attend the exhibition, saying, “There will be exhibitors and local artists selling and showcasing their art, so we welcome all athletes and guests to come and visit.”

The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the MHRCTD and Create Belau, an informal collective of Palauan’s artists established in 2019 with the goal of creating safe and inclusive spaces for artistic expression.

“We want to highlight artists,” said Ysikl Yano, one of the founders of Create Belau, in a phone interview. She added that the group is especially excited to include works by three Palauan artists based overseas who reached out to have their pieces featured. “They are all Palauan, and we are very happy they wanted to be part of this.”

Create Belau previously organized the DAVE Art Exhibition in 2020 to honor the late Palauan artist Dave Ngirailemesang, showcasing 64 pieces by 16 artists. Since then, the collective has held several events promoting local talent, with the current Mini Games exhibition marking its fifth major effort.

Yano emphasized that Create Belau remains open to artists and art enthusiasts who wish to join and support the development of Palauan art and culture.