Home to a thriving new crop of artists, Magnet Gallery is an immersive experience in the local art, entertainment and environment of Dumangas.
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| Magnet Gallery, Library & Cafe' - Dumangas, Iloilo |
Located on Salas Street, Municipality of Dumangas, Province of Iloilo, in the Philippines — it is a home grown collaborative where art, nature, and wellbeing are actively supported and sustained in advocacy and community.
Try an art making workshop with their local artists collective, take a bike tour through the district, buy some of their locally propagated seedlings, or sit in for some poetry reading while sipping their local cafe brew.
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| Araut Visual Artists Collective - AVAC |
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| Dumangas, Iloilo on Expedia |
Surrounded by tributaries and major rivers as well as beaches and coastlines, Dumangas is also well known for its wharf and port, its plentiful fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish, and its rich historical culture and heritage.
As a young native artist who has successfully navigated his own artistic career nationally and internationally, Rick Drilon has taken on the admirable work of helping other young local artists with their career choices as well.
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| Rock Drilon, then & now |
Sharing his personal life experience and professional career process through faith-based mentorship — providing a steady presence and keen oversight where it’s sought.
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| Magnet Gallery, Library & Cafe' with resident ayam, Simeon |
Diving below the surface and immediate needs as well. To develop what kind of unique resources might actually motivate young artists to create art in the first place, be connected to their community and stick around to provide the strong, innovative leadership that small towns need right now.
There are deeper issues to address. What are the conditions of creativity and talent development in a small town? How does this affect the larger question of rural conditions and opportunities? Why do our young people stay or go?
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| various Magnet Gallery events |
It is a large boon to have some reliable guidance and mentorship along — a safe space and place in which to explore, discover, experiment — as they forge their way in these crucially formative years. By involving them in community service they are given options and presented with more diverse opportunities than when left on their own to work it out for themselves.
Would that our world could provide this for our youth in all areas — rural and urban, isolated or overcrowded, and any place in between. For all to realize what a contribution they possess — even while they have yet to find ways of expressing themselves.
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| Magnet's donated library for grown ups |
It gives them a chance to tell their story in fresh and new ways. Their presence can affect change as well. The energy and dynamics of difficult and complex conversations about historic preservation issues in our community can affect how it is addressed and applied.
It can give other generations new blood and life — including influential people, city officials and government members, our commissioners and directors, even established artists and creatives — all of whom also have intimate experience and extensive history themselves.
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| Magnet children's library - starting them young |
It is amazing to see these young artists stay after an event or workshop, talking and laughing for hours with other participants and viewers — to realize that we can do something very simple but powerful by creating a space for creative dialogue and the possibility for artists to meet and connect.
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| take a tour of the Magnet premises |
This Dumangas artists circle keeps its provincial vibe while retaining its active commitment to fundamental community programs and innovative projects. Where the town’s economy centers predominantly on agriculture and livestock, it also plays host to the Haw-as Festival.
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| lush exterior at Magnet |
