Eva Millan-Dantes

The Gateway Gallery presents “Sidlak” a solo art exhibit of budding artist Eva Millan-Dantes at the 5^th level of Gateway Mall, Araneta City from June 24 to 30. A Cebuano word that means “sparkle”, the exhibit will feature 55 of Millan-Dantes’ works in watercolor, acrylic, and oil. The event coincides with the launch of her book “Why thee, Lord?” which chronicles her journey as a cancer warrior. After she was diagnosed with both breast and thyroid cancers in 2015, Eva bought herself a watercolor set and a pad of drawing paper. She felt that even with the effects of her surgeries on her physical movements, she still could draw and paint. In February 2020 Eva learned that the Buenas Artes Gallery was holding an Art Discourse class with Filipino visual artist Celeste Lecaroz. Inspired by the paintings of various artists at the gallery, Eva decided to take classes herself. A month later, Eva enrolled in the watercolor class of Iris Babao-Uy. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Eva continued to hone her skills online via classes from other artists Julius Legaspi, Pinky Peralta, Beth Robles, and Zeze Lei, to name a few. Later her bedroom had become her gallery full of her own artworks. Two years later, Eva realized her dream of studying under the tutelage of the Father of Philippine Art Workshop himself, Maestro Fernando Sena at the Tamako Café in Quezon City.  Under his guidance she studied basic drawing, sketching, and oil pastels. The Maestro’s generosity and humility inspired Eva herself to be generous with her God-given talent in arts. This eventually led to the creation of “Artbeats of Eve” where Eva offers virtual devotional art classes where participants would learn of God’s word through art and learn art through God’s word. Eva’s free devotional art classes with the less privileged children has reached the Kids Camp in Moriah, Antipolo and GST Leveriza, Malate, as well as children from their neighborhood in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City.