Under the twinkling gaze of Charles Lahti's visual language of LOVE

February is unique among all the months that comprise the year. In 2026 this stands out even more with so many holidays packed into it.

There is the Lunar New Year, a Ring of Fire solar eclipse, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the beginning of Ramadan and Lent as well. 

In whatever way we choose to raise our spirit - whether we party in the streets or opt for fasting and abstinence in the privacy of our home - may we rejoice in the blessing and celebration to be had.

Over at our local Negros Museum, the second half of the month is host to the colorful exhibit of painter, printmaker and New York City artist Charles Lahti. 

Aptly titled, FOR THE LOVE OF is a non-profit art benefit and memorial tribute to residents and museum supporters, Gregorio and Isabel Urra. All the proceeds for this exhibition have been generously donated towards supporting the Negros Museum’s continuing cultural programs.

To have the privilege of exhibiting this new art created by Charles Lahti is truly wonderful. In a world short on sincerity and big on self-interest - where the voices of those who don’t have much in the way of control or choice are ever more marginalized. This exhibit is an act of love and a beacon of joy. 

The artist is thankful and the public are grateful to the museum staff who did a stellar job of mounting the art around the exhibition hall. Even the wall mounted splashes of color used as background for the art pieces have drawn interest - and many have expressed wanting to purchase them too.

ART IS MORE THAN EXPRESSION - IT IS INHERITANCE. 

For creator Charles Lahti, art matters especially for the next generation - carrying stories, exploring questions, and revealing truths that words alone cannot master. 

Art informs our youth to dive deeper, to feel more fully, and to develop an understanding of themselves and the world with honesty and courage. Being better informed and exploring diverse experiences lead to expanded insight and inspiration.

excerpt from the artist's promo bio

All his life, Charles explored both language and art in a hungry passionate mix, happily embodied in mind and heart, overflowing into his expressive art. 

Throughout his career, Charles has focused and gravitated towards collaboration and experimentation. Captivated between his art and an ever-changing community - performance and spoken word, street art and graffiti, visual and print media, in countless iterations. 

The forever kid loving bold conversations and playing with paint - brandishing these interests as a pied piper does. Leading to experimental worthwhile projects that push boundaries and limits. 

Who made these rules? Art enthusiasts or eager fans? Learned or self-taught, lifetime aficionados or the merely curious. Who says they can't be mixed and matched?

Why is our culture of arts divided when it can all be assimilated? What are the costs to all of us when borders are drawn or shut? This is rich territory for exploration, and we hope viewers agree and enjoy it too. 

Rejoice in this sweet and intimate lingering exploration of agápē love! 

Come to The Negros Museum and experience this exhibit of New York painter and printmaker Charles Lahti - up close and personal.

In this month of love and convergence and choice celebrations - Eastern and Western, ancient and ageless, familial and familiar - there is much love to be shared here. 

Visit the Negros Museum - home of Negrense stories. 

Experience the Charles Lahti exhibit - an immersive encounter of agápē love. 

Written by: Issa Urra (bhaktiCD.org)

Photos by: Bem Cortez