Pinto Art Museum Complete Travel Guide

Introduction

Pinto Art Museum is an art gallery located in the city of Antipolo in the province of Rizal. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Philippines. The contemporary art space lies on a 1.4-hectare botanical property of Silangan Gardens inside the Grand Heights subdivision in Antipolo. It exhibits spectacular contemporary, indigenous, and emerging local art pieces from brilliant artists all over the country. Aside from it, Pinto Art Museum has several broad galleries boasting unique art installations, well-curated paintings, and sculptures. For this reason, it is one of the most Instagrammable museums in the world.

Pinto Art Museum was established in the year 2010. The tagalog word Pinto means “door”. It was said that the museum was named as such to symbolize the place and its art collection to open its beautiful doors to people, neighborhoods, society, distinctive nationalities, and humanity.

According to its past history, neurologist and art fanatic Dr. Joven Cuanang, the owner, and founder of Pinto Art Museum wanted to open connections between diverse lifestyles and contexts through art collection. The white mission-style structure museum is designed by an artist named Antonio Leaño.

Prior to the opening of the Pinto Art Museum to the public, Dr. Joven Cuanang opened his delightful home to local artists to create and sharpen their skills. Subsequently, he even surrendered his place to these brilliant individuals to provide them with an exhibition space.

Presently, this exhibition marquee is now what we call the Pinto Art Museum. So if you are an art lover and photographer you should come and visit this place to see a diverse art exhibition that is truly breathtaking inside and out. Also, it’s a superb place for celebrating anniversaries, milestones, and Valentine’s Day.

Name: Pinto Art Museum
Address: 1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal
Features: confounding view of contemporary and surging local art

My trip to Pinto Art Museum

In the past few days, I was looking for a place near Metro Manila that is really nice, relaxing, and budget-friendly. It was Sunday morning when I finally found the tourist attraction that I will be visiting and that was the Pinto Art Museum escapade. I decided to make a trip to the museum Wednesday morning. It was 6 am in the morning when I left my house and ride an MRT train going to Cubao. After I reached Cubao, I immediately board a passenger van going to Antipolo. The road trip lasts for nearly an hour.

When I arrived at Antipolo City, I ride a jeep going to the nearest landmark in Pinto Art Museum. Past 10:30 am when I arrived at the museum. I paid the entrance fee at the ticket counter area and after being given a map as my navigation guide, I immediately start the walking tour inside the vast art museum. In the initial part of exploring the art museum, I noticed that there was a lot of garden area and the white color is dominating the structure. In my opinion, I feel like I’m in the country of Greece because it is like a Santorini-inspired place.

The museum complex is so vast. I go inside the museum and I observed for a few minutes the interactive installations on the wall. The art collection is good and it differs from traditional to modern art and paintings. Even though I’m not an art enthusiast I really appreciate the themed rooms that showcase the different categories of paintings and other artworks.

The place is wonderful and it is definitely an Instagrammable place. I’m so amazed to see the art display coming from different artists. For this reason, I take occasional casual photos as I walk by. Then I have a quick conversation with one of the local visitors there named Carlo. He told me that one day is not enough for him to go to all seven well-ventilated galleries. In addition, he told me that the museum ambiance is so cool, excellent, and well organized.

Gallery 1 presents a more traditional art piece with paintings depicting picturesque scenes from daily life in the Philippines. Also, it highlights some interesting art installations including the rock boulders. A large canvas entitled Karnabal can be found and it’s made by a group of artists known as “Salingpusa”. It portrays pictures relevant to the Marcos regime. The length of this interesting masterpiece is said to be 144 x 480 inches.

Meanwhile, Gallery 2 had more experimental mixed media pieces with some installations similar to those I’ve seen displayed in BenCab Museum in Baguio City. On the other hand, Gallery 3 had some really interesting steel wire sculptures including Oblivious by Stephanie Lopez. Also, the gallery features a mixture of both paintings and sculptures and other forms of contemporary art with various mediums used. It also features a Volkswagen Beetle. The Salita 2017 sculpture shows the year when it is built, it means they want people to remember the year when it was built. The Tagalog word “Salita” means words.

Gallery 4 features bigger art pieces. Most of the arts are contemporary and modern and some Spanish-inspired masterpieces. This is also the section where that famous “We Are The Kids That Your Parents Warned About”. The forty-four members of the Philippines National Police Special Action Force (SAF) killed in Mamasapano in Maguindanao province in 2015 are given the honor in Alwin Reamillo’s series of works on tin cans. The “Fallen 44” is part of a collective installation titled “Manufacturer’s Advice: Contents May Vary”.

Meanwhile, Gallery 5 has a lighter, more abstract, and neater tone. It features various paintings depicting the Spanish colonial period. Most paintings are oil canvas and traditional painting mediums. On the other hand, Gallery 6 showcases so many great masterpieces including the “Lolong and Loleng” by Demetrio Dela Cruz, the artist emphasizes that all luxury bags despite their brands and ridiculous cost are just the product of an animal. There is also an audio room entitled “Usapang Babae” by Steph Lopez, a room with brain seats, and picturesque balconies.

Finally, Gallery 7 has so many new wing’s worths of art, mediums, and installations for guests to experience. After our conversation, I roamed around and spotted some cafes that served visitors with good food taste. From my perspective, the entrance fee seems very little. It is much more affordable than watching a movie at the mall because I get tranquility and a very relaxing place which makes my stress go away. Also, the Pinto Art Museum is so neat and clean which is so good for the human eye. Their comfort rooms are everywhere and well maintained.

Then after a few moments, I finally reach Gallery 7 on the roof deck and it gives me a magnificent view of Rizal. Also, there’s always enough room to practice social distancing because it is the biggest gallery and it has some sleek architecture. One of the staff told me that in the future there are still more exhibitions to come. Afterward, I had lunch in their main restaurant named Cafe Rizal by Peppermill. From my perspective, the pizza, the Monte Carlo chicken, Rizal pork adobo, and seafood pasta I have eaten were so yummy and good. The price is so worth it. I definitely recommend it to anybody and I will come back for more memories with friends.

After staying for nearly four hours at the Pinto Art Museum, I call it a day and I enjoyed staying at the vast museum complex. I love all the artwork and paintings. In addition, it is a romantic place to be with your loved one and a wonderful place for deeper conversation because it’s almost like a paradise. Pinto Art Museum is indeed a great place for art lovers and it’s the hidden gem of Antipolo City. I arrived back home late in the afternoon. It’s worth a ride. Overall my trip to Pinto Art Museum sums up this excerpt “solo travel teaches you a lot about yourself. It helps you step out of your comfort zone and become more independent.”

Things to bring on your visit to Pinto Art Museum:

Cash and pocket money
Comfortable clothes and footwear (outfit of the day)
Bottle of water
Umbrella during the wet season
Personal hygiene kit
Alcohol
Facemask
School ID if a student
Small bag

How to Go to Pinto Art Museum

By commute

From Pasig City, ride a jeep or UV Express passenger van going to Antipolo City and tell the driver to drop you off at Robinsons Place Antipolo or Ynares Center.
Then from Robinsons Place Antipolo or Ynares Center, ride a tricycle that will take you to the Pinto Art Museum in Grand Heights Subdivision. The estimated tricycle fare is around 45 pesos.

By private car

Open your Waze app and pin the Pinto Art Museum. Please take note that the vast museum is just beside the Grand Heights Subdivision gate. The entrance can be found at Sierra Madre street and there’s a minimal amount of parking fee to be paid.
If you’re coming from Quezon City, take Aurora Boulevard going to Marikina City. Drive your car along the Marcos Highway and make a right turn on Felix Avenue and turn left when you reach the Ortigas Avenue Extension. Then turn left again which leads to Antipolo City. After that follow the Ortigas Avenue Extension road to avoid heavy traffic at the Antipolo town proper. Please take note that there is a small sign on the right side of the road that will lead you to Grand Heights Subdivision and Pinto Art Museum.

Reminders and Tips:

The entrance fee to Pinto Art Museum is 250 pesos for adults, 125 pesos for students with valid school Identification Card, and 200 pesos for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) with valid ID. Children below 3 years old are free of charge. Note: All prices, rates, and fees are subject to change without notice.

The opening hours of Pinto Art Museum are from 10 am up to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. The art museum is closed on Monday. As of today, Pinto Art Museum is open to all visitors coming from different parts of the world.

Walk-in is allowed at Pinto Art Museum and no reservations are needed. In addition, bringing of pets, any outside food and drinks are not allowed.

For any questions regarding photo shoots, prenuptial shoots, and other events please call this number during office hours 8697-1015.

There is a restaurant inside the Pinto Art Museum. Cafe Rizal by Peppermill is located inside the ground of the art museum near the chapel where you can have mouthwatering meals and cold drinks to make your viewing of nature and art an extraordinary experience. The Cafe Rizal by Peppermill is open from 10:30 am up to 6 pm. You have the option to eat al fresco or inside the restaurant. A smaller cafe restaurant is located between Gallery three and four that serves as a resting spot where tourists can rejuvenate by ordering a drink or grabbing a quick snack.

Take note that during Holy Week the art museum is closed.

Please follow all the rules and regulations inside the art museum such as proper social distancing and wearing a face mask.

Littering, poaching, and touching any displayed artwork is prohibited. Also smoking and spitting inside the art museum are not allowed by the management.

Uprooting, cutting, and picking any plants within the museum is prohibited.

Getting a tour guide is optional only to better understand the art collection of the place.

The best time to visit Pinto Art Museum is during weekdays so you can have more time enjoying the magnificent art display.

There is a parking lot for guests. When you get there, someone will give you directions on where to park.

Bringing of tripods or octopus pad is allowed.

For more detailed information about Pinto Art Museum and its services please visit its official Facebook page.

Last but not least, if you bring a baby with you make sure you have a baby carrier because the museum is not ideal for baby strollers and there are many stairs.

There you have it, art lovers. May your heart be happy and your days be bright, may your roads be smooth and your burden light, may you find your dreams and touch a start and most of all never forget how special you are. Also the more art you see, the more you’ll learn to define your own taste. Altogether I hope this Pinto Art Museum travel guide has been accommodating to you and to your loved ones. God bless us all and stay safe always.