NY charity’s ‘Art Gallery for a Cause’ opens in Makati

Nemi Miranda’s “Lambingan” 24”x30” and “Planting Rice” 24”x36” acrylic on canvas, are currently offered on silent auction to fund the gallery’s nonprofit outreach, available online at Eaglecharities.org/gallery CONTRIBUTED

After three years of virtual mentoring and art exhibitions, trustees and volunteers of New York-based nonprofit Eagle Eye Charities Inc. (EEC) opened its first art gallery at Makati City.

Nestled amid the residential and office businesses at Valero Plaza facing San Agustin Street,  Salcedo Village, Eagle Eye Art Gallery celebrated the gallery’s grand opening, aptly described by artist Nemi Miranda as “A dream come true!” The gallery started out as an online site on July 4, 2020.

Eagle Eye’s mission is to provide an avenue for Filipino artists to be introduced to the international market through annual exhibitions abroad.

The newly minted “Art Gallery for a Cause” has attracted mid-career and master level artists from North to South of the Philippines, with a common vision to promote the Philippine culture, traditions and beautiful islands through the eyes of contemporary artists.

The principals behind the project, EEC-NY Founder Carol Tanjutco and its Manila OIC Fanny Blanco, emphasized the distinction of this gallery as “owned and operated by artists, for the benefit of artists and nonprofit art outreach.”

Eagle Eye Charities aims to provide funding for the next round of national art competition that it started, including the Jose Rizal Portraiture Competition in 2022, currently ongoing exhibition at the Museo ng Makati until July 31,2023, and the recently concluded 500 Years of Christianity and Catholic Devotion, exhibited at the Manila Cathedral, in partnership with Museo ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila (seen on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/7Pza8Uqz4fM). The winning entries of both contests will be shown in an Exhibition at Philippine Center, New York on November 13-24, 2023.

Two upcoming exhibitions at the Makati art gallery are slated for August 2-15, a Broadway-themed La Vie En Rose Masterworks, with guests Madrigal singers Manet Martinez and Jenny Tolentino to set the mood for the opening night, and August 16-30, Defenders of the Wild, a tribal theme focused on the beauty of Indigenous People and preservation of wildlife such as the Philippine eagle and tarsier.

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Eagle Eye Art Gallery welcome new talents to hone their skills through customized 5-day workshops and “stressbuster” two-hour painting challenge. Past winners of EEC competitions interact with students for a rare opportunity to learn directly from the professionals. New artists get to join the exhibitions along side with the Mentors as a part of a learning curve and introduction to the art world. For art discovery classes, call 0929-447-0113 or email [email protected]

This Fourth of July 2023 Gallery Opening was graced by Museo ng Makati OIC Ichi Yabut, Nemi Miranda, Rupert Jacinto, Atty Lorna Kapunan, Celso Pepito and Dr. Josette Biyo, Director of DOST.  The event also launched the book by its Gallery Curator, Florentino “Jun” Impas’ Pangandoy, highlighting 25 years of his masterpieces,  with  over 200 portraits including past presidents, and Cardinals of the Vatican.

Eagle Eye Art Gallery opening on the Fourth of July 2023 (L-R) Celso Pepito, Dr. Josette Biyo of DOST, Museo ng Makati OIC Ichi Yabut, EEC Founder Carol Tanjutco, artists Rupert Jacinto, Fanny Blanco, Nemi Miranda and Jun Impas. (RAMEL CASTILLO)

The Fourth of July 2023 show is ongoing at Eagle Eye Art Gallery at Valero Plaza until July 31, with group sketching sessions on weekends.

 The celebratory opening has works of 28  artists including special auction pieces by mentors Nemi Miranda, Jun Impas, Celso Pepito, Jojo Austria, Rubee Alcantara, Fanny Blanco, Cris Bobier, Dohndill Bejoc, Marko Bello, Carlmel Belda, Richard Buenaflor, Ariel Caratao, Ram Castillo, Thom Daquioag, Eugie V Delacruz, Reynan Dingal, Jess Dinglasa, Jessa Dulay, Rainer Duhaylungsod, Ismael Esber,  Maria Francisca Juarez, Marlon Lucenara, Sam Penaso, Rembert Quimada, Romar Quimada, Richelle Rivera, Evan Respeto and Carol Tanjutco.