DAVAO. Ribbon Cutting ceremony to official; the Art Made Public at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier. (Ace June Rell Perez)
 
ART knows no realm but everyone, rich or poor, mass or elite.
 
In bringing wining and exquisite works of art of contemporary Filipino artists, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and SM Lanang Premier painted the Atrium of the mall Thursday night with creativity and passion as a conduit to bringing art closer to the public for deeper art understanding and appreciation, essential to sculpt the art phenoms of today.
 
The travelling retrospective art exhibit dubbed as “2016 Art MADE Public,” was launched in the city last March 3 and runs until March 7 at the mall’s Atrium. The exhibit is open to the public.
 
With the prestigious exhibit, Dabawenyos are given access to artwork masterpieces of 15 Filipino artists who were notable past Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (Made), one of the country’s most prestigious art and design recognition program.
 
The 15 masterpieces made flesh by 15 brilliant contemporary Filipino artists are seen as bridges to the artistic senses of the viewing public.
 
These artists and artworks are Christopher H. Zamora (Untitled), Don Bryan Michael R. Bunag (Into the Land of Forsaken Dreams), Anthony E. Palomo (Panghuling Bilang sa Gabing Muling Lilipas), Benjamin D. Elayda, III (For Western Inspection and Consumption: Stereotyped Curio?), Ronson Culibrina (La Laguna Estigia Interviente), Rex S. Tatlong Hari (Stitch of the Nation), Arthor P. Moreno (Mulat), Ferdinand B. Montemayor (Dito Sa Bayan ni Juan), Andrew Tan (I), Norman B. Dreo (Mamang Karpentero), Raffy T. Napay (Mahiwagang Pagbubukas, Galaw na Walang Wakas), Ronante S. Maratas (Undoing Ruin), Herbert J. Pajarito (Intercession), Salvador J. Ching (Replica Filipina), and Stanley Gallermo (Matud nila).
 
Now on its 4th year, “Art Made Public” in celebration with the 32nd anniversary of Made aims to hone art phenoms and raise the bar of public’s appreciation for the arts and promote arts and design excellence to young Filipino artists and to-be-artists.
 
This year’s celebration centers on the theme: “Finding Phenoms in Art.”
 
Alongside the exhibit, a free lecture series on painting, sculpture, architecture and interior design for students, a “Heart for Healing Workshop” for the differently abled, were held last Friday and Saturday, respectively.
 
“Let’s all be part of the celebration of talents and creativity be as one in our pursuit of enabling young Filipinos to learn more about art and have a deeper understanding of its profound true meaning,” Henry Shalimar D. Palma, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Unit program coordinator said.
 
He added that a lot of Mindanao artists already joined the Made program of the bank.
 
Director Roberto Alabado III, of thge Department of Tourism (DOT 11) said that event’s like this will essentially transform Davao into an Art haven and will bode well for a city’s art development scene and people’s appreciation.
The exhibit, prior to its run in SM Lanang, was staged in SM Aurora Premier, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Center Agono.