‘Xpressions’, now in its 10th edition, returns to ESG, Panaji, with over 100 student artworks
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY
Each year, Vrinda’s Art Academy in Vasco hosts ‘Xpressions’, an exhibition showcasing student artwork and promoting animal welfare. This year, it will be held on April 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Art Gallery, Entertainment Society of Goa
(ESG), Panaji.
The exhibition, themed ‘Art for a cause for animals’, will be inaugurated on April 26 at 5 p.m. by the chief guest, Mayor of Panaji, Rohit Monserrate, with artist Viraj Naik as the guest of honour.
Founded in 2001 by artist and art educator Vrinda Agarwal, the academy began with just one student. “I still remember that day,” she smiles. “One child showed up—and now we’ve grown into something much bigger.” While the academy’s Panaji branch was paused for a year, Agarwal plans to relaunch it soon. Alongside regular classes, she conducts art workshops, believing that art provides a creative escape and a way to reconnect with oneself.
This edition of ‘Xpressions’ is special for two reasons: it marks Agarwal’s 25th year of teaching and the 10th edition of her exhibition series, originally called ‘Young Xpressions’ when it featured only children’s work. Over time, adults have joined, but the exhibition’s mission remains the same—to support animal welfare and bridge the gap between humans and animals. “We need to coexist,”
says Agarwal.
In fact for Agarwal, animals are an essential part of her life. “I paint them, feed them, and care for them every day. I also run a group in Vasco called Trailblazers, where we work for the welfare of strays,” she says. “Through this exhibition, I want my students to experience the joy of giving back.”
The proceeds go directly to the students as their first earnings while 10% of all sales will be donated to Mahabali Animal Ashram in Pernem, which cares for over 220 disabled dogs.
With over 100 artworks on display, the exhibition showcases a variety of styles and mediums—from textured canvases and 3D clay models to detailed animal portraits and serene landscapes. There is no set theme, allowing students to express themselves freely. “I don’t want to limit them,” explains Agarwal. “They’re discovering who they are as artists, so I let them create what they love.”
The youngest participants are just eight years old, while adults in their 40s and 50s also contribute. “The energy and emotion in the room are incredible,” says Agarwal. For her, curating the exhibition is about celebrating effort and individuality. “Each painting tells a story.”
And one piece that draws special attention is a pencil sketch of Jesus Christ by Agarwal. “It’s very personal. In 2002, after a tragic air crash that took the lives of several friends, I sat down in grief and started sketching. After hours, I realised I had drawn Jesus. You can feel the pain in that piece.” This sketch is featured in every exhibition as a silent guardian and a blessing for
her students.
Beyond the visual display, the exhibition also has an educational purpose. “Exhibitions teach kids so much—they learn to take feedback, speak about their work, and build confidence,” says Agarwal. In fact, art has been transformative for many of her students, some of whom have struggled with depression or are differently-abled. “It’s therapeutic.
It’s empowering.”
Many of her students have gone on to careers in design, architecture, and other creative fields. To further support them, Agarwal also hosts webinars where alumni share advice on college admissions, creative careers, and the business of art. “It’s not just about painting anymore. It’s about helping them
find their path.”
