Art MADE Public at SM Lanang Premier

The times when art was just kept in gallery spaces and museums are long gone. Today, art is made within reach in SM malls, where it can be seen, admired and appreciated by thousands of people.
 Recently, SM Lanang Premier, in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), staged the “2016 Art MADE Public” exhibit with the aim of bringing art closer to the public.
 Mallgoers had a glimpse of winning art pieces in the said travelling exhibition, which carried the theme “Finding Phenoms in Art” and marked the 32nd year of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) – one of the country’s most prestigious art and design recognition programs.
 “We want to engage the public—especially the youth—to experience Philippine art appreciation and to instill in them a genuine appreciation for it,” says Milagros Gumban, Vice President for Metrobank Mindanao Area 1 about the five-day exhibit.
 Works of contemporary Filipino artists who were past MADE awardees—Arthur Moreno, Salvador Ching, Anthony Palomo, Norman Dreo, Andrew Tan, Stanley Gallermo, Christopher Zamora, Ferdinand Montemayor, Benjamin Elayda III, Rex Tatlonghari, Ronante Maratas, Raffy Napay, Herbert Pajarito, Don Bryan Michael Bunag, and Ronson Culubrina—were showcased at the exhibit curated by award-winning sculptor and printmaker Noell El Farol.
 Department of Tourism-XI Regional Director Robert Alabado III, graced the launch, along with Malaysian Consul-General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, Museo Dabawenyo Director Orly Escarilla, and Philippine Women’s College of Davao Chairperson for Fine Arts/Interior Design Program Brenda Barba. SM Lanang Premier Acting Mall Manager Lynette Lopez, SM Supermalls AVP for Marketing (Mindanao) Russel Alaba, and Metrobank’s Gumban, were on hand to welcome the guests.
 “We are grateful to the Metrobank Foundation and SM Lanang Premier, through this endeavor, for helping us in our dream in transforming Davao City as an arts haven,” notes Regional Director Alabado in his speech. 
 Free design lectures for students and a healing art workshop for 30 teenagers with autism were also held in partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines.
 Prior to its run in SM Lanang Premier in Davao City, Art MADE Public was placed on exhibit in SM Aura Premier, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Center Angono.
 The event hails Filipino artistry and creativity through MADE’s annual recognition programs for painters, sculptors, interior designers and architects. Davaoeño artists aged 18-35 years old are invited to join the said programs and get the chance to jumpstart their careers. For more information, check out MADE’s Facebook page “MetrobankArtandDesignExcellence” and Instagram account @madecompetition.
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