Joya, Chabet works up for bids in fundraising auction
The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation (ACC Philippines) celebrates 25 years of commitment to nurturing Filipino artists and fostering cultural exchange. To mark ACC Philippines’ silver year is a series of special events, beginning with its annual ACC Auction on Feb. 22, 2 p.m., at Leon Gallery.
The fundraising auction directly benefits the ACC Philippine Fellowship Program, which empowers Filipino artists by providing opportunities to engage in apprenticeship programs, pursue research and studies, participate in international collaborations, and learn from esteemed mentors and experts abroad. These initiatives align with ACC’s mission to advance international dialogue and cultural exchange, fostering mutual understanding and respect across cultures.
Since 1963, when ACC started giving grants to support artists in their self-exploration and development through cultural exchange in the United States and/or intra-Asia, the list of Filipino artists who have received the ACC fellowship grant continues to grow.
Nine Filipino artists and art specialists representing visual arts, theater, literature, conservation, and art criticism are the recent additions to the roster of ACC’s outstanding fellows and alumni all over the world.
Currently on ACC fellowship are Maria Patricia Bernas, who is pursuing her MS in Dance Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College in New York; Aina Ramolete, pursuing her MA in Puppet Arts at the University of Connecticut; Padmapani Perez, who is conducting her research in India; Archie Oclos, who is conducting his research in Coney Island, New York; Sir Anril Tiatco, who is training in dramaturgy in New York; and John Alexis Balaguer, also in New York for his research on exhibition writing and art criticism.
Peter John Natividad just returned from his fellowship in Japan for his research on the techniques used in the mounting and seismic control system of display and storage in museums, while actor-director Toni Go and playwright-director Joshua Lim So are set to leave in July for their New York fellowships.
The ACC Auction, whose preview started on Feb. 18, has become a highly anticipated event in the art and cultural community, bringing together esteemed collectors, patrons, and art enthusiasts to support a meaningful cause.
Among the important pieces up for bid are by ACC alumni, starting with 1967 ACC fellow and National Artist Jose Joya, 1968 ACC fellow and Gawad CCP awardee Art Roberto Chabet, and ACC 2012 fellow Riel Hilario. Proceeds from the auction will help sustain the foundation’s grants program, ensuring that Filipino artists continue to have access to invaluable learning and growth opportunities on the global stage.
Visit leon-gallery.com. To know more about the ACC and how to support its programs, visit asianculturalcouncil.org.
