by: Jessabel Bagulos,
Ralfh Commendador,
Phoebejean Palluto, and
Rechel Porras
Along a quiet street in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, a modest gate opens into a space where art and everyday life seem to meet naturally. Step inside and the atmosphere immediately changes. Trees cast shade over a small garden filled with flowers, and the air feels noticeably cooler beneath the canopy. Visitors stepping in for the first time often describe the atmosphere as welcoming and “homie,” a creative space where conversation, music and art flow easily among people.
This is Carmen Art District, a community-driven creative hub in Cagayan de Oro that has transformed a heritage house into an open environment for artistic expression and collaboration. Rather than functioning as a traditional gallery, the space invites visitors to wander through gardens, shaded corners, and exhibition areas that feel both relaxed and personal.
The house itself dates back to the 1980s and once served as a private family residence. Over the years, it carried the legacy of two well-known local lineages — the Neri-Roa clan and the Abejuela-Ramos clan. Visual artist Kelly Ramos formally opened Carmen Art District in March 2023, transforming the heritage property into a creative community hub she continues to manage today.
Rather than transforming the property into a traditional gallery, Ramos envisioned a space where art could exist alongside everyday life. The compound’s open layout allows visitors to move freely between garden paths and display areas, creating an experience that feels less formal than a gallery and more like stepping into a creative home.
Since opening, the district has gradually grown into a gathering point for artists, musicians, students, and creatives across the city. Street artists from the collective OroKru have visited the space, while local singer-songwriter Euhue once performed there during Pride Month as part of an “Art and Wine” event that combined live music with visual art.
Students have also found their way into the space. Last year, learners from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan visited Carmen Art District as part of their Art Appreciation activities, using the site as a place to observe how art can function within a community setting.
Part of the district’s appeal lies in its environment. Unlike enclosed galleries, the compound is defined by its open spaces, trees, and garden surroundings. The relaxed atmosphere encourages visitors to slow down, explore the artworks, and interact with the space in a more natural way. For many first-time guests, the space feels less like a formal exhibit and more like stepping into a creative home.
Within this environment, workshops and activities regularly bring people together. Among the techniques explored is Joomchi, a process that transforms handmade paper into a textured, fabric-like material through kneading and layering. Participants can also try print painting, a method that blends printmaking and painting techniques to transfer images onto paper or fabric while allowing room for personal artistic expression. These activities reflect the broader vision behind the district — to create an open space for gatherings, performances, creative collaborations, and shared artistic experiences.
Looking ahead, Ramos hopes to continue expanding the cultural role of the property. Plans include restoring parts of the heritage house while highlighting the history of the families connected to it. Another initiative under consideration is the creation of the Pureza Ramos Library, a collection of books related to Cagayan de Oro that could serve writers, researchers, and aspiring authors. The district also hopes to develop a literary journal and an online publication titled LITERAL, which would provide an additional platform for creative voices in the region.
For those interested in visiting, Carmen Art District is located at 20 Andres Fernandez Street (corner V. Neri Street) in Zone 3, Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. From the downtown area, visitors may take common public transportation routes heading toward Carmen. A local landmark is KSY; passengers may get off near Miami Inn, cross toward ZureRx Pharmacy, and walk roughly fifty steps straight ahead where the entrance gate to the district can be found on the left side.
The space is open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no fixed entrance fee, although a tip basket is available for those who wish to support the space and its activities.
Community activities continue to take place throughout the year. Among the events held in the space are spirituality gatherings scheduled every Friday in March, Joomchi workshop planned on every Friday the 13th this year, a Women’s Month event titled “Rose and Resilience” on March 21, and a paper-making workshop for those interested in traditional craft techniques.
For Ramos, the purpose of opening the space has always been simple: to create a place where people can gather, collaborate, perform music, and appreciate art together. Her message to aspiring artists across Mindanao reflects that spirit: “Mag explore how far we can go with our creativity.”
In a rapidly changing city like Cagayan de Oro, spaces like Carmen Art District offer a different rhythm — one where creativity grows quietly among trees, conversations, and shared experiences. For visitors looking to discover the city’s artistic side, the district stands as a reminder that some of the most meaningful places are often found just beyond the main streets.
