THERE are indeed a thousand and one ways to celebrate one's relationship with God.

Take for instance "The Masterpiece: A Spiritual and Religious Exhibition" at the Museo Diocesano de Bacolod at the San Sebastian Cathedral Rectory.

Featuring the works of 13 Negrense artists, the exhibit "celebrates spirituality not only in a conventional way but as well as in an experimental nature of contemporary artists expressing their spirituality, finding the Sacred in nature and in ordinary objects."

It showcases the works of Rafael Paderna, Rodney Martinez, Corazon "Sonny" Golez, Dolly Gatuslao, Nunistell Mae Fulo-Lee, Fred Juson, Moreen Austria, Romeliz Valenciano Sr., Ritchie Arvin Cuesta, Ma. Fe Sumagaysay-Cuesta, Ian Valladarez, and Me An Mangante.

The exhibit opened last week, on April 14, in time for the Holy Week. It is the first religious art exhibit hosted by the Museo Diocesano de Bacolod, located at the third floor of the San Sebastian Rectory.

The artworks promote spiritual consciousness to the public which is very timely for the Lenten season.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said during the opening ceremonies, "The exhibit helps us see that art can serve the faith and train people's lives towards God and towards something moral."

The exhibit does not only portray different religious artworks but it also reflects the faith of the people. One of the artists, Dolly Gatuslao, shared how she became fond of painting and collecting religious paintings.

When she was young, she would love to watch paintings with faces of Jesus and Mother Mary and that motivates her to paint religious images.

The exhibit will run until April 30. Museo Diocesano de Bacolod is open daily except Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Celebrating spirituality through art