Our Story
I
The art of fine print was ‘practically unknown or unappreciated as a major form of expression among the Filipino artists. … that was a time when… artists were busy consolidating their positions after a breakthrough in painting in the mid-50’s, and they were not in the mood to be distracted by the seductions of a “minor art form”.
-Leo Benesa-
The Printmakers
Archipelago, The International Magazine of the Philippines,
August 1978
It was not until after Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. arrived from a study grant in New York in the 60’s that the first printmaking studio/workshop was established. With his efforts, many artists learned techniques in printmaking and pursued careers as printmakers until the foundation of the Philippine Association of Printmakers in 1969, among its first officers, Adiel Arevalo, Ivi Avellana (-Cosio), Lamberto Hechanova, Mila Enage, Aurora Calaguas, Imelda Nakpil and Brenda Fajardo. The association, aware of the many benefits of the art form, addressed the need to further promote it throughout the archipelago. It took on its mission to promote, develop and uplift creative interest in printmaking and establish it as major visual arts medium in the country. The countless projects and programs that the PAP embarked on later proved to be of significant contribution to Philippine arts and culture.