Sri Lanka’s renowned open-air art fair, Kala Pola, is set to enliven the streets of Colombo with its vibrant display of color, creativity, and conversation as it returns for its 33rd edition on Sunday, February 8th. The event will take place along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path) in Colombo 07.
Originally conceptualized and introduced by The George Keyt Foundation in 1993, Kala Pola has been sponsored and co-presented by the John Keells Group since 1994, marking an unbroken patronage. Over the years, it has evolved into a cultural landmark that continues to redefine the presentation and experience of visual art in Sri Lanka. Staying true to its founding philosophy, the event proudly remains uncurated, allowing participating artists and sculptors to showcase their talent, engage with art enthusiasts, learn from and network with fellow artists, and expand their clientele.
Kala Pola offers a diverse array of art forms and styles, from intricate sculptures and humorous caricatures to abstract paintings and both modern and traditional Sri Lankan art. It attracts art lovers, collectors, connoisseurs, and students from across the country, as well as international tourists. The event fosters a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere complemented by music, camaraderie, art discussions, children’s art workshops, and a variety of cultural performances.
As a longstanding and iconic visual art event within Sri Lanka’s dynamic arts and cultural scene, Kala Pola stands out as a unique open-air platform for visual expression. By bringing together both established and emerging artists in an inclusive, uncurated setting in the heart of Colombo, it facilitates meaningful connections between creators and audiences, offering accessibility, diversity, discourse, and a shared appreciation for art among a wide cross-section of the public, while also boosting the country’s creative economy. Nations Trust Bank (NTB) supports the event as its official banking partner.
The arts fall within the Social Health and Cohesion focus area, one of four focus areas of the John Keells Foundation (JKF), the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating over 80 companies in seven diverse industry sectors. With a history spanning over 150 years, the John Keells Group employs over 18,000 people and has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for 20 years by LMD Magazine. As a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant in the UN Global Compact, JKH advances its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through JKF.
