3D art gallery opens in San Jose

Fundemic Arts is located on the first floor of the CDA Building (former Morgan Building) along Beach Road in Oleai. (MARK RABAGO )

Saipan folks now have a new place to enjoy the arts, amazingly be part of the painting/mural themselves, and overall create fun-filled memories with this month’s opening of Fundemic Arts.

Owner Patrick Fielded said Fundemic Arts is a three-dimensional art gallery. 

Fundemic Arts customers have fun posing in front of a giant painting of a shoe. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“It’s an imaginative idea that when photographed from a certain angle, the optical illusion makes it seem like you’re in the painting,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Fieldad said he opened Fundemic Arts last March 11 because he feels it’s finally time to let the community know that there’s a place to gather with family and friends and have fun.

“It’s called Fundemic because I wanted it to spread the fun and for people to love the arts. I wanted to create a family-friendly, fun environment where arts and the community of all ages can come together, take photos, and create memories and unforgettable bonding.”

Fundemic Arts currently has a $5 promotion on its entrance fee for the entire month of March.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

He said with COVID-19 restrictions finally lifted, it’s about time for the local community and even tourists slowly coming back to the islands to experience a new type of activity. 

“It offers a place for families, students, tourists, and our island community to enjoy local artwork and provide leisure activities to alleviate mental stress and increase overall well-being or just to have fun and create memories and bonding together.”

The one-of-a-kind 3D artworks are created by Greg Bacnis and Ernie David, two renowned Filipino visual artists living on Saipan whose paintings have been featured on the Flame Tree Arts Festival and other competitions. 

Fielded said Bacnis and David haven’t done 3D painting before, but because of their skill and patience, they were able to finish the paintings. 

“My dad, Patricio, also helped me on the construction/renovation inside the unit,” he said. 

Fieldad said he got the idea of establishing Fundemic Arts during a recent visit to his parents’ home country of the Philippines.

“When I went to the Philippines a couple of years ago, I went to a 3D gallery and said to myself that it will be cool and fun for families if Saipan has this back home to create a place for families, friends, and the community to bond together and create memories.”

Since it’s relatively new, Fieldad has been using word of mouth and the power of social media to promote his new business. 

“We have been posting flyers and social media. I did have groups and friends who wanted to visit the place and hopefully, will grow. Some members of our island community supported Fundemic Arts by bringing their whole family to experience the first 3D gallery in the CNMI. With continued support, we hope to extend and provide more opportunities for our community and visitors to enjoy the arts.”

Currently, they’re having a $5 promotion for the entrance for the whole month of March. Children 5 years old and below get to enter free.

Fundemic Arts’ regular prices, which return on April 1, are $7 for adults and $5 for children (5 to 12 years old).

Fundemic Arts is located on the first floor of the CDA Building (former Morgan Building) along Beach Road in Oleai. It is open from Thursday to Friday, 6pm-8pm; Saturday, 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm; and Sunday, 10am-6pm. Any changes to its business hours will be posted on their social media page. For more information, you can contact them at fundemicarts@gmail.com and by also visiting their Facebook page Fundemic Arts.