National : The 7th edition of the CMR National Art Camp, ‘Brushes and Beyond 2026’, concluded successfully on October 12 at CMR University’s scenic Lakeside Campus. Organised by the Nitara Center of Excellence from October 1 to 12, the camp brought together 17 artists from across India for twelve days of artistic exploration, creative exchange, and collaboration.
The event commenced with a valedictory address by Prof. Muralidhar Reddy, Director of the Nitara Center of Excellence, CMR University, and Curator of Brushes and Beyond.
Chief Guest Dr. B. L. Shankar, President of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and former Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the fine arts sector. He emphasised the Parishath’s role in nurturing talented artists and reiterated the vision behind Chitra Santhe, which carries the motto ‘Art for All’, to make art accessible to everyone. He expressed confidence that, under the guidance of Dr. K. C. Ramamurthy, CMR University would emerge as one of the premier universities in the country.
Dr. K. C. Ramamurthy, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of the CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University, and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, highlighted in his presidential address that several artists who had participated in the camp had gained national and international recognition. He emphasised that art and design are integral to CMR’s academic programmes and expressed his vision of expanding the camp in the coming years by bringing together a larger pool of artists from across the country.
Shri Jayadeep K. R. Reddy, Pro Chancellor of CMR University, stated that art is the purest expression of creativity. He emphasised the importance of inspiring students and academic departments through the artists’ work and creative processes. He also highlighted the growing value and rarity of original artwork, particularly in the age of AI.
The exhibition featured a striking collection of artworks across various mediums, including woodcut printing, mixed media, painting, and textiles, celebrating India’s rich artistic diversity and contemporary creativity. It offered visitors an engaging visual experience while providing artists with a platform to showcase their talent, exchange ideas, and foster creative collaborations.
In recognition of their dedication and contributions, all participants were presented with mementos, marking the successful conclusion of ‘Brushes and Beyond 2026’. The event stood as a testament to the enduring power of creative exchange and collaboration.
The valedictory ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour Shri Prabhakar T., Vice President of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Provost of CMR University, and Dr. H. B. Raghavendra, Vice Chancellor of CMR University.
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