Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Rizal

The Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Rizal is one sweet haven for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, photographers and those who simply appreciate beauty!

The place is located inside Grand Heights Subdivision, just a few kilometers off the main road from the Ynares Center. The museum's humble facade and entrance would not give a hint on the vast beauty that awaits inside. It is a simple rough plastered, white wall with its name above the door and a pair of bells hanging at the center... inside, it's a different world!

The front lawn is well manicured with steel and rock sculptures nicely placed around the garden. Steel couches and beds with crisp, white cushions are elegantly displayed outdoor. The contrast of white metal furniture against the lush greenery creates a refreshing, calm ambiance that evokes a feeling of oneness with nature!

Serenity....

A wooden door frame, white stucco walls and beautiful paintings!

The structures that house the indoor art pieces are open-air, Mediterranean inspired villas with big arches and windows, rough plastered walls in white stucco finish and wide framed, wooden doors. However, it is also reminiscent of Vigan houses with its capiz windows and Spanish tile roofing. The pretty, white villas are built on a hilly, rich foliage adorned with beautiful staircases and roof decks that compliment the blue skies during the day and the stars at night! Some galleries have boulders inside, incorporated as art. This is indicative that the design and engineering tried to align itself to nature to preserve it. The architecture and landscaping are undeniably impressive!

At the roof deck!

Art gallery below the roof deck!

A life-size, metal rocking horse!

I've got this! Yiiihaaa!

Now, let's try cows! Oh, my goodness, It's not a cow!  It's a carabao!Haha!

An outdoor, metal art piece... and there's the cow on my right side, or is it a sheep? Geez! :)

The Pinto Art Museum is nestled at the heart of a 1.3 hectare property, the Silangan Gardens owned by art enthusiast, Dr. Joven Cuanang who is also the head of the Silangan Foundation for Arts, Culture and Ecology. The idea to create an art venue amidst nature started in the late 80's in collaboration with then Silangan Foundation's artist-in-residence, Antonio Leano. Initially, the purpose was to house the growing art collection of Cuanang. Antonio Leano, a multi-awarded painter and a recipient of the CCP 13 Artist Awards in 1994, is currently the Museum Designer and Director. The Pinto Art Museum opened its doors to public in 2010 and is still a work of art in progress. Other expansion projects include an area for the Arts and Science Academy!

The Pinto Art Museum is nothing like the traditional museums, where art pieces are highly guarded and protected in ropes or encased in glasses that you feel afraid to come a meter near it lest you break them and the alarm goes off. On the contrary, the venue is refreshing, informal and very inviting. It even has a nice restaurant where you can dine in a garden setting. The art pieces are displayed in such a cohesive and blended way that the audience is encouraged to stay, stare, think and feel. There are many old oil paintings in exhibit but most are modern, contemporary art pieces by local artists. The 21st century art must be compelling and powerful to invoke at the very least, the interest if not the admiration of  the young audience in this digital age when toddlers use touch screens to draw and paint.

Open your heart to me...

Say whuutt?

Let's swing it!

To be kissed and held...

Look at the children!

A mother's protective embrace...

Wired not weird!

Iron Lady!

Prim and proper ladies...

Mixed media, made of fibers and other materials...

The parents...

Staring at each other on the staircase...

Indigenous art... ommmm...

You've been warned!

There are 6 galleries with different themes and art media inside the Pinto Art Museum. The well curated art pieces on exhibit are so massive and diverse that lead to a graphic explosion, a true visual indulgence that is almost sinful to eye-feast on!  You try your best to take it all in with the naked eye in one passing, simultaneously clicking away the shutter button to preserve the image... Oh yes, it is a kaleidoscope world!

Back lighted art piece

Hmnn... forever?

A message in a shoe box... crocodile leather.

More paintings....

In black and white...

In full color!

Framed oil paintings in different proportions depicting ordinary life...

A boulder inside the room... the theme in this exhibit room is erotic art.

Portaits...

Oil painting

The entrance fee is well worth it for only P180. Discounted rates apply to students and senior citizens, make sure to bring your ID as proof. A special rate also applies to PWDs and entrance is free for children below 3 years old! So bring the children, the younger you introduce them to art, the better! Surely, they will enjoy taking their selfies and groupies! I sure did!

It is advisable to wear light, cool clothes because the venue is not air conditioned but the ventilation is really good. Put on comfortable footwear as you will be climbing stairs and walking outdoor on grass and pavements from one gallery to the other. Remember the area is H-U-G-E!

See you again soon!