A striking collection of 53 Marian paintings, shaped by 12 multi-talented professionals whose journeys span corporate boardrooms, law, business, banking, philanthropy, education, writing, and creative pursuits in the visual arts, will be featured in a fundraising exhibition titled “Maria Regina: Grace in Blue – Portraits in Peace,” opening Sept. 9 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary.

For months, this community of contemporary Filipino artists gathered regularly at Sunshine Place in Jupiter, Makati City, with one purpose: to honor Mary through art. Proceeds from the exhibition will help build an adoration chapel at St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong and support the rehabilitation of the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Quezon City.

Exhibition lead artist Carol Llanillo, a lawyer-turned-painter trained in Chinese brush techniques, poured her devotion into the project, creating 20 oil paintings portraying Mary in different expressions and moments of contemplation.

“My goal is to move beyond mere likeness, seeking instead to evoke the virtues of tenderness, humility, strength, sorrow, and patience,” Carol says. “Each painting is a visual prayer—a bridge between an enduring love for art and a commitment to service.”

The mentor of the Sunshine Place artists, master Fidel Sarmiento, president of the Art Association of the Philippines, moved beyond familiar Western Marian imagery to create a vision rooted in Filipino identity. His interpretation encourages his students to discover their own visual language while remaining faithful to the spirit of the Blessed Mother.

Alongside him is fellow master artist Robert Fernandez, whose guidance helped shape the participating artists into a creative community where mentorship, friendship, and artistic growth flourish together.

For Rica Rosario Ong, the inspiration was deeply personal.

“Last May, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Turkey, where I visited Ephesus, traditionally believed to be the home where the Blessed Virgin Mary spent the final years of her earthly life,” she recalls.

“My devotion to Mama Mary has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I realized that the prayers I once thought had gone unanswered were actually answered according to God’s perfect timing. With a grateful heart, I offer this work in thanksgiving for her constant intercession.”

Robert views his paintings as a dialogue between tradition and the present.

“My work seeks to create a bridge between eras,” he explains. “By combining meticulously detailed classical figure painting with unexpected modern elements, I wanted to show that devotion is both timeless and deeply rooted in our contemporary world.”

Vicky Pollisco expresses Mary’s presence through sweeping bands of color and fluid abstraction.

“Through these vibrant forms, I wanted to capture the unconditional protection, tenderness, and sacred strength of motherhood,” she says. “Mary remains an enduring symbol of refuge in an ever-changing world.”

After spending 35 years in the banking industry, Ed Ramos embraced painting full-time, rediscovering a lifelong passion. His works build luminosity through successive layers of cobalt turquoise, teal, gold, and shadow.

“I achieved depth by allowing darker tones to become the foundation from which light emerges,” Ed explains. “My paintings are reflections of my experiences, my appreciation for beauty, and my continuing journey of discovering who I am as an artist.”

Mary’s story, through Joyce Ashworth, unfolds through overlapping geometric planes that gradually reveal a deeper spiritual narrative.

“What may appear fragmented is intentional,” Joyce says. “The overlapping forms symbolize the many joys, sorrows, and challenges that shaped Mary’s life. Though each experience stands on its own, together they form a unified whole, reflecting her unwavering faith and complete trust in God’s plan.”

Beyond the canvases, the exhibition reflects the spirit of Sunshine Place itself, where artists gather each week to learn, encourage one another, and continue creating well into their senior years.

As Sunshine Place manager Gilda Reyes observes, the friendships forged inside the studio have become as meaningful as the works themselves.

“Through shared interests and the time they spend together, our artists have developed warm and meaningful relationships that bring them happiness and a sense of belonging. Their classes foster camaraderie while encouraging each artist to discover a unique interpretation of Mama Mary.”

More than an exhibition of sacred art, “Maria Regina: Grace in Blue – Portraits in Peace” is a testament to how creativity, faith, and community can come together in service of something greater than oneself.

The 53 paintings are not merely portraits of Mary. They are reflections of the artists’ own journeys—of second callings discovered, passions renewed, and faith expressed through every brushstroke.

“Maria Regina: Grace in Blue – Portraits in Peace” will be open to the public from Sept. 9 to Oct. 7 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary. (Veronica Velosoyap Wuson)