Perspectives 

"The way one looks at anything is as unique and diverse as there are people of varied natures."

Artistic Expression

Artistic expression can happen in many ways. It is not always about drawing a picture, singing a song, playing music, or acting. The way that you arrange your home or workspace is an artistic expression. So is how you dress and do your hair. Each thing you do is an expression of you and your choice of style. Being uniquely artistic is innate in everyone. Everybody is an artist.

Myrna D. Santos, MSN, RN

Executive Director/Dragon Gallery of New York

"Women Illustrated" by Ahbe Sulit

Originally conceptualized by male artist AhbeSulit, the original version was a single woman balancing 3 pots on her head.  With inputs from sister IrviSulit and CAFW founder Raquel Z. Ordonez, the artist added 2 more women.  The official CAFW logo shows silhouettes of three (3) women with 3 large clay pots on their heads walking gracefully with upright backs and in stride with one another, dressed up in ethnic clothes.  The 3 pots stand for:

• Women as Culture Bearers
• Women as Community Leaders
• Women as Family Pillars.

In Recognition of Unknown Great Women of the Century

"Family Heirloom" by Juanita Almonte

This is a cushion cover appliqué done by Juanita Almonte, my mother, while pregnant with me in her bosom.  It is made out of cut up satin cloth appliqué joined together in embroidery circa 1937.  There had been a few of cushions with different faces of gay 1930’s ladies which were distributed as remembrance to various members of our family, some of which were made in New York during her stay in 1974.

Ma. Consuelo Almonte

Pres/PCCSA

This Art piece features a model garb in fashion, popular in the 30's and 40's when short hair was fashionable.  It was accented by a hat that was obviously a part of an "ensemble" which included a shawl and a pair of gloves. It is an epitome of elegance of the fashion trend of the era.

Beautiful!

Marcos Anselmo Panlilio

Extended Arts Director

"Women all over the world are turning their backs on societal roles, stereotypes, and expectations that has been the bane and root of female gender suppression and oppression." 

Ludy Resurreccion

Program Director/ Extended Arts

"If I have to analyze why, it would have to be because, for too long, women’s roles have had to conform to what was supposed to be their place in society. Some of us refuse to be so easily led. Turning our backs ... naked and vulnerable, but opening ourselves to what is possible ahead." 

Margarita Marfori

Dragon Gallery Artist

Inter-Generational Dialogue: Magdalena Bulatao, Myrna D. Santos, Ma.Consuelo Almonte, Ludy Resurreccion

Schedule of Events/Program Highlights

I  OPEN HOUSE  (Collaboration, Networking).......................................................Consuelo Almonte

II Women: The Emergence..................................................................................Myrna D. santos

III Building Bridges Program: WOMB PROJECT (Windows of Opportunities)..........Ludy Resurreccion

IV AHA Moments & Discoveries………………………………………………………………..............Myrna D. Santos

V Intergenerational Dialogue..............................................................................Katherine Fung

VI Story-Telling "How women emerged over cultures and time"...........................Kitty Lin

Schedule of Events/Program Highlights

I  OPEN HOUSE "WINDOWS to PCCSA" (Collaboration, Networking)........................Consuelo Almonte

II The World Through My Window.......................................................................Margarita Marfori

III Building Bridges Program: Networking for Artists (Windows of Opportunities)..... Ludy Resurreccion

IV A Window of Pakistan/ Pakistana................................................................  Ma. Consuelo Almonte

V  A Window to Autism...................................................................Bienvenido Banez/Autism Survivor

V  AHA Moments & Discoveries………………………………………………………………..Myrna D. Santos

The Library & Museum of Philippine American History, Arts & Culture

& The Nursing Office Extended Arts Center                                                                  Building Bridges Program for Artists

FIESTA of FILIPINO AMERICAN ARTISTS 2016 (FFAA 2016)

An Artistic Milieu by, with, and for Filipino Artists

In the Renaissance of Philippine Art and Culture, a lively platform for Filipino artists and Filipino-American artists has yet to become a prominent part of Fil-Am daily life.  Oftentimes many artists from the homeland come to America, seeking validation of their artworks or artistic visions, appreciation and sustenance from largeraudiences beyond the homeland.

VISION-MISSION

 1.  To provide internationally recognized Exhibition Space(s) for Filipino and Filipino-American artists to exhibit all forms of artistic works in all modes and mediums, and develop facilities or enhance available physical spaces toward a permanent Philippine Arts Gallery & Exhibition space.

 2.  To create Crossroads of Arts, an intersecting Environment or Space where community members visually experience artistic works, meet in person and interact with Filipino / Filipino-American artists and know them as persons.  More importantly, to recognize, appreciate, and accept our Artists as vital and integral culture-bearers of the evolving authentic Filipino identity and spirit.

 3.  To explore, experiment, and pursue innovative approaches, plans, and strategies to create Viable Market Opportunities to help sustain Filipino/Filipino-American artists' livelihood for safety, survival and continuing artistic productivity.

 4.  To increase and enhance the understanding and appreciation of Art as a Channel of Life's truths and wisdom, stimulated by intellectual and aesthetic criticism of writers, journalists, academicians, historians or other visionaries who view works of artists from different, varied genres, mediums, styles and schools, or historical eras.

 5.  To maintain and sustain Filipino artists' visibility, exposure and active participation in the Renaissance of Philippine History, Art, and Culture here in America and in the Philippines.

To address this true need of our native, original talent from the homeland, The Nursing Office formally launches the space called DRAGON GALLERY NEW YORK There’s more to Art, at its location on 115-03 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York 11418.  It is the first of its kind in the area.

Dragon Gallery New York "There's More to Art"

To visit us virtual online

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1124172434286505/1171427696227645/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1479046767489180

UNVEILING Productions

FEATURING:

INTER-CULTURAL DIALOGUE by Victor "Bong Espinosa

On the last days of Summer, September 22-30, 2016, The Nursing Office Community Center opens the door to DRAGON GALLERY NEW YORK by exhibiting the works of Victor “Bong” Espinosa, natural home-grown, self-taught artist from Davao City, Philippines.  The exhibition is being curated by Bienvenido Bones Banez, foremost well-known Filipino Surrealist artist with the Williamsburg Art & Historical (WAH) Center, Brooklyn, also a native of Davao City, Philippines.

To know all about the Artist, go to www.bestofdavao.com.ph/victor-bong-espinosa/ and his website www.expodepinas.wix.com/espinosa.

“INTER-CULTURAL DIALOGUE” is the overall theme of this maiden exhibition.  It is also the title of one of Bong’s major works (4.5 ft. x 8 ft., 2009, Mixed media on Pelon fabric, Artist’s price $1,500).

Inspired, informed, and initiated by the terrain and peoples of Mindanao in the Philippines, the Artist seeks to show their survival struggles amidst oppressive structures of dominant westernized Christian cultures, as he visualized during travels back from the Philippines to the U.S. In general the Artist describes his work as “Neo-Ethnic” in genre.  “It is modern yet so pristinely native in appearance. You can see the integral elements of local culture via the diversities.  In this artwork there is a concept of fusion and artistic evolution, especially certain images that portray the enduring premise on the humanity issues.  Its content points out an aspect of reality where human endeavors create a passage of life.” 

Interestingly, this artwork was Bong’s First Outdoor Exhibit in a 1-day fundraising event 2010 called “High Ice Tea @ 3”organized by the Associates in Mental Health & Disabilities (AMHD) in Berkeley, NJ.

The sub-theme of DRAGON GALLERY NEW YORK, “There’s More to Art” aptly echoes this appealing bond of art with other human endeavors such as mental health, like autism, which is the focus of ensuing exhibits in this space called “The Colors of Autism,” featuring the works of Lez Lorene Timbal-Sambajon.

OTHER WORKS IN THIS EXHIBIT

“Sarimanok Chants”                                     

Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

2 ft. x 3 ft., 2015

Artist price: $350

(Artist’s note: Finalist entry to the Nexus International Juried Art Show in the Arts Guild of New Jersey, USA, 2016)

“Sarimanok Swirls”

Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

2 ft. x 3 ft., 2015

Artist price: $350

“Untitled Series 1 to 9”

Pen & Ink Drawings on Handmade Paper

5 x 8 inches, 2016

Artist price: $50 each

“Mother Nature Series 1 to 8”

Acrylic on Paper

Artist price: $20 each

This Exhibition will run through October 4, 2016. For details, contact Myrna D. Santos: myrnyc@msn.com or call (718) 687 – 2581; Ludy Resurreccion” Ludydavao@outlook.com or call (718) 644 – 3513.

PROGRAM

I  Unveiling & Dedication

II Presentation

   "Building Bridges Program for Fil-Am Artists"

III Inter-Cultural Dialogue in Visual Arts by Bong Espinosa

    Inter-Cultural Dialogue in Communities by Ludy Resurreccion

III Garden Reception & Networking at "The Little Prince Room"

                                     Juxtaposition of DANCE on ART 

                                    Gilda Sambajon & Pangalay Dance

                                        Rich DESIGN & COLORS on Fabric

UPCOMING EVENTS & EXHIBITS

• WINDOWS by Margarita Marfori
• The Colors of Autism
• Suspended in a Lullaby
• The Bucket List of an Artist
• The Art of Abeh Sulit: The Pain of AIDS
• The Night Butterfly 
• The Cross Roads of Photography and Painting 
• Depression Glass Collection
• WOMEN's MONTH: CLASSIC ARTS INSPIRATION
• CA Women Collection 

PAST EXHIBITS

Inter-Cultural Dialogue..................Victor Espinosa

Windows.......................................Margarita Marfori

ArtBeat5

Banig sa Bood

Divine Child Foundation

Fil-Am Artists

Las Islas Filipinas

Philippine Community Center Services for Aging

Founder/Executive Director

Myrna D. Santos

Executive Director,The Nursing Office Extended Arts

Marcos Panlilio

Program Director

Ludy Resurreccion

Director of Visual Arts

Bienvenido Banez

Director of Lighting

Roberto G. Santos

Art Consultant

Victor "Bong" Espinosa