PWU - School of Fine Arts and Design

PWU re-opened after its rehabilitation, the School of Music was formally established in 1947 under the deanship of its original founder. The youngest among the colleges, it awakened cultural interest within the university, as well as promoted artistic consciousness and progress at home and abroad. In 1952, The Philippine School of Music and Fine Arts became an affiliate school and, eventually, was transferred to the main building in 1977. PWU’s first fine arts students were Patty Birocel, Antera Mar, Lilia Trinidad, Elenita Sayoc, Fe Severino, and Rosario Bitanga. Tromp l’oeil painter of hand-embroidered lacework and art educator, Araceli Limcaco Dans became the Director of the Institute Fine Arts and Design (IFAD), which developed a curriculum that produced artists who excelled in the fields of painting and graphic arts. When its Center for Visual Printmaking was established in the 1960s, which is described by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the “unofficial center of printmaking in the country,” IFAD produced significant printmakers under the direction of Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. who was also responsible for organizing the Philippine Association of Printmakers: Virgilio Aviado, Lucio Martinez, Lamberto Hechanova, Restituto Embuscado, Mario Parial, Adiel Arevalo, Petite Calguas, Emet Valente, Brenda Fajardo, Nelfa Querubin, Ivi Avellana-Cosio, Nonon Padilla, Manuel Rodriguez, Jr., Marcelino Rodriguez, Jr., and Ray Rodriguez. A vanguard in art education and practice, students were also engaged in experimental art activities and gained popularity for the university and the artists themselves. In 1967, the Shell Companies of the Philippines cited IFAD as one of the best art schools in the country. Among its noted personalities, the following occupied key positions: Mariano Madarang and Raul Isidro as Directors of the College of Fine Arts; Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. as Head of the Graphic Arts Department in 1973; Julian Cea Napal as Director from 1978 to 1979 with Alfonso Miaga as Officer in Charge; Ludivina L. Abes as Associate Dean from 1979 to 1986; Jerry Elizalde Navarro as a consultant professor; Virgilio Aviado as Officer-in-Charge/Dean with Purification Torres as Administrative Officer until 1989; Dr. Luhualti Trias as Administrator from 1989 to 1991; and Lorna Alvarez-Salutal as Officer in Charge from 1994 to 1998. In addition are faculty members like Ibarra de la Rosa, Benjie Cabrera, Noel Farol, and Roberto Feleo. In August 1998, PWU President Jose Conrado Benitez appointed Rosario Bitanga Peralta as Acting Dean and, after two years, as Dean. During this time, the M.A. in Fine Arts and Design Graduate Program was established. In June 2006, Reiner Suva was appointed as Assistant Dean. In the same year, IFAD was changed to the School of Fine Arts and Design (SFAD). In 2007, Peralta became Dean Emeritus and Suva was appointed Dean. In July 2010, Arch. Bienvenida T. Candelaria took over as Officer in Charge. A year later in May 2011, PWU President Francisco Bantug Benitez appointed Josephine Turalba Dean and Candelaria Associate Director for Program Development. With the recent inauguration of the SFAD Gallery, Noel Soler Cuizon assumed the position of Curator, bringing together students, faculty, and alumni. Finally in January 2013, Dr. Pearlie Rose S. Baluyut was appointed Professor and Coordinator of the reinvigorated M.A. in Fine Arts and Design Graduate Program that encourages traditional and innovative learning, meaningful dialogues, and sustained collaboration with the arts community, local organizations, and museums. Indeed, the Philippine Women’s University’s School of Fine Arts and Design has established a reputation of excellence and it continues to build future artists and designers through its undergraduate and graduate curricula, the critical crossroads of various disciplines, including but not limited to art education, art history, design, fine arts, cultural heritage, and museum studies. Currently, it offers a Bachelor in Fine Arts (Major in Industrial Design, Painting, and Visual Communication), a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, and a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and Design under the trimester system, beginning June and ending in April. Taking into consideration the important role of art and culture in our global society, we hope that you will take this opportunity and journey toward academic and artistic excellence.