The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), through its Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (Made) program, opened the fourth leg of its 2017 Art Made Public last March 2, 2017 at the SM City Lanang Premiere in Davao City.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by guests of honor Ms. Michelle Ang, the Senior Manager of the Metrobank Office of Mindanao Area 1, Davao Center; Ms. Karen Kleen Babia, assistant mall manager, SM Lanang Premier; Ms. Brenda Barba, dean of the Philippine Women's College, School of Fine Arts; Ms. Winnie Rose Builig, representative from the City Government Art Office and Museum researcher, Museo Dabawenyo and Noell Farol, president, Made-Network of Winners (Made-Now).
In partnership with SM Supermalls, the Art Made Public kicked-off last February 4, 2017, at S Maison in Pasay City with renowned art patron and gallery owner Silvanna Ancelloti-Diaz as guest of honor.
The Art Made Public aims to promote art appreciation among the general public, and at the same time, encourage young Filipino artists to join the Made Painting and Sculpture Recognition Programs.
This year, Art Made Public did not only feature winning artworks of its past awardees but also their current masterpieces, to showcase their artistic growth from amateur artists to recognized professionals in their own fields. Some of the works featured are by Elmer Borlongan, Jan Leeroy New, Anton Del Castillo, Salvador Ching, and Ferdinand Doctolero.
Two of the greatest artists of the country and past awardees of Made, renowned sculptor Sajid Imao and visual artist Mark Justiniani, collaborated for the Art Exploration Lecture Series last March 3 and March 4, the Made-Now, together with the Autism Society of the Philippines-Davao Chapter, also lead the art and wellness workshop for children with special needs.
The Made recognition program in painting is open to Filipino artists aged 18-35 with no experience in holding a solo exhibition. Sculptors who have held a solo exhibition are eligible to join the Made recognition program in sculpture.
One Grand Awardee for Sculpture and two Grand Awardees for painting will be chosen and will each receive P500,000 inclusive of financial assistance and artistic development fund, plus a “Mula” glass trophy designed by visual artist Farol. The Grand Awardees will automatically become members of Made-Now.
As a pioneering art recognition program of MBFI, Made is known to provide career opportunities for its awardees. Some of the prominent artists now who were once recognized by Made are Andres Barrioquinto, Norman Dreo and Alvin Florentino.
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