The Amako Arts Gallery in June Valley in Port Moresby city is a place where art is being used to develop good personal qualities and reshaping the hearts and minds of the young people.
Amako Arts Gallery’s founding father and experienced freelance artist, Mr. Warren Peter, proudly shared that although there is no formal support from organizations, the silent success of the Amako Arts Gallery is a testament to their strong focus and commitment in nurturing the next generation through hands-on mentorship and creative exposure.
The Amako Arts Gallery recently showcased some of the art works during their mini stall exhibition at the Amazing Port Moresby PNG Story- Highlands Day Celebration on July 20th July 2025.
With over 500 paintings, 3,500 pencil sketches and from more than 200 artists residing across Port Moresby, Amako operates as a community learning centre, where many underprivileged children and youth are introduced to basic drawing, colour use, and canvas work.
According to Mr. Warren, new artists are issued personal sketchbooks to begin and record developing ideas, eventually transforming them into framed, exhibition-ready art. Amako also runs activities like “Paint Experience” for kids and “Sip & Paint” for adults, designed to make art interactive, therapeutic, and inclusive.
Although Warren had a lonely journey and struggled as a beginner artist without a mentor, he emphasized that he wants to be there for his apprentices to help in finding their full potential.
“For me, I never had a chance to have an art mentor when I grew up in the settlement. I struggled to become an artist. I don’t want my younger generation to feel the same,” said Warren.
Furthermore, Warren pointed out that Amako exercises on a primary principle to be Self Resilient/Independent in their collective effort to showcase their art without expecting handouts.
Although many creative groups rely on various formal support, Amako Arts Gallery has thrived for more than 10 years on the principle of self-reliance and resourcefulness.
“We’ve trained our artists to be self-sustaining. You don’t wait, you start from scratch,” said Warren.
Amako has operated consistently without government or corporate support. Instead, they recycle materials, sell art directly at the Range-View Plaza, and rely on local demand and participation.
Their latest achievement is a 67-meter wall painting completed in 16 days, at the Port Moresby National School of Excellence, demonstrating what grassroots organization and discipline can accomplish.
Amako has only recently formalized its registration with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) and is now preparing to engage official bodies.
“Art is about bringing colour into people’s lives. It’s not always about money,” said Warren.
From a settlement-born initiative, Amako proves that art doesn’t need to wait for permission, it just needs vision, community, courage and consistency.
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