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BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/25 October) — The first ever privately-owned art center in Caraga Region recently opened in Butuan City, to cater to the needs of art patrons, buyers and enthusiasts wanting to acquire works by homegrown painters and sculptors.
The Kalagan Art Gallery is owned by painter Gualberto Licong, head of the local visual artists group, Likha Caraga.
“There have been inquiries from both visitors in the city and the locals themselves where to find homegrown artists’ works so I thought of putting up this humble venue. And I am glad support from colleagues and the audience have been overwhelming,” says Licong, who is a perennial finalist in national art competitions.
Several locally known artists who exhibited in the opening included cartoonist Omar Arellano, sculptor Carl Loquias, multi-media practitioners Casiana Torralba and Kit Gresos and photographer Yul Jimenez.
Other than regular art exhibitions, the gallery conducts painting sessions every Saturday afternoon for members of Likha Caraga, students and visiting non-member artists.
It also sponsors art forums in partnership with other local field art groups in the city. The gallery is located along Montilla Boulevard and Ong Yiu district. (Ramon Jorge Sarabosing/MindaNews)