The University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design (UE CFAD) has unveiled the third installment of its ongoing Sangang-Daan Community Exhibition Series, featuring an art showcase that celebrates the culture, heritage, and everyday life of Valenzuela City.
Titled Buhay at Sining, the exhibition is presented at the Chua King Ha Galleries and features works by the artist-led collective Arte Valenzuelano. The show explores community identity and local heritage through a diverse collection inspired by the experiences, landscapes, traditions, and stories of Valenzuela and its surrounding communities.
Translating to Life and Art, Buhay at Sining transforms the rhythms of life in Metro Manila’s northern industrial hub into a visual narrative. The participating artists capture the pulse of city streets, the quiet realities of daily work, and the area’s historical roots through paintings, sculpture, digital works, and mixed media.
Rather than focusing solely on grand historical narratives, the exhibition finds meaning in familiar scenes and experiences, including bustling public markets, local food culture, natural landscapes, and reflections on contemporary womanhood.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is a visual tribute to Dr. Pio Valenzuela, linking the city’s revolutionary history to its contemporary creative community. Through these works, personal stories and community memories converge to reinforce a shared sense of civic identity.
Founded in Valenzuela City, Arte Valenzuelano brings together artists committed to making fine art more accessible while celebrating both local traditions and contemporary forms of expression. Working across different artistic mediums, the collective encourages dialogue and creative engagement within the communities it represents.
The exhibition also carries a special connection to UE, with several participating artists being UE CFAD alumni who have returned to share their creative journeys with current students. Their participation highlights the university’s continuing influence on the artistic community across the CAMANAVA area.
Sangang-Daan, which translates to Crossroads, is an ongoing UE CFAD initiative that connects academic art spaces with artist collectives and the broader community. The exhibition series serves as a platform for mentorship, creative exchange, collaboration, and community partnerships, bringing established artists, emerging talents, students, and the public together.
The Chua King Ha Galleries, located on the fifth floor of the Tan Yan Kee Academic Building, serves as the flagship exhibition space of UE CFAD and an educational and cultural hub dedicated to supporting and promoting visual arts in the CAMANAVA area.
“Buhay at Sining” runs until September 1, 2026. For inquiries and gallery visits, email [email protected].
