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THE SOCIETY OF PHILIPPINE –AMERICAN ARTISTS, INC.
- By: Jose A. Dureza
There was long felt need for an organization of Filipino American
artists in the New York Area. Although there were pioneering groups
like Amauan, Kinding Sindaw, among others, these groups were theatre
based and did not address specifically the needs of painters,
illustrators and printmakers. Mr. Manuel Rodriguez, the leading
proponent of the Inter-Arts Society also tried to bring all disciplines
into one fold, but the diversity of artistic interests was just
too complex to hold together.
In May of 1987, a church organization in Jersey City which managed
the Santacrusan, a popular May time festival in the Philippines,
assembled a group of artists to show at Newport Mall headed by
Manuel Rodriguez under the Inter-Arts banner. The group continued
to meet at Mang Maning’s Broadway studio, Dulcie Dee’s
studio, in a Filipino eatery, and other places.
More meetings were held and finally in Secaucus residence of Joe
Dureza in July 10, 1994, the first set of officers was elected
and the name Society of Philippine American Artists was adopted.
Elected were Manuel Rodriguez, President; Dulcie Dee, vice president;
Jose Dureza, secretary; Eric Gerstein, treasurer; Eva Florentino,
PRO; Manny Tan, business manager; Oscar Dizon, Marcelino Rodriguez,
Eman Rodriguez, Mariano Miguel, and Lito David, directors.
The Society was granted a status of non-profit corporation in
the State of New York in Spring of 1995. It also adopted its constitution
and by-laws. The aims of the Society are to promote the appreciation
of the arts, unite artists, assist aspiring artists, serve its
members to advance their skills and derive economic benefits from
their works, and to develop rapport with the public by means of
workshops and other means of bringing the art to the people.
The SPAA, Inc. held its first group show, “Suntok sa Buwan”
(a punch at the moon), in September 16, 1994 at the YWCA Gallery
in Brooklyn, New York. This was opened by Ambassador Romeo A.
Arguelles of the Philippine Consulate and Linda Pelayo, publisher
of the Filipino Reporter.
The membership has expanded and more shows followed at the Philippine
Center, the newly established Casa Victoria Gallery in Jersey
City, New Jersey just across the Hudson River.
Mr. Romy Ferrer, the gallery owner, took up sponsorship
of the association’s meetings and projects. Currently there
are 40 artist members from five states, one each from Toronto, Ontario,
and Manila, Philippines.
The membership expanded as the SPAA held more group shows in
Jersey City and New York City. The 10th of such annual shows is
currently at the Philippine Center at Fifth Avenue in New York
City which opened last July 7, 2003 and opened by Vice Consul
Joselito Jemeno and Dr. Carmencita Fulgado as Guests of Honor,
and the President Emeritus Mr. Manuel A. Rodriguez, Sr, and current
president Jose A. Dureza.
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