OVER 30 art galleries, including those from Malaysia and Singapore, will be taking part in the 2015 ManilArt on Oct. 8-11 at SM Aura Convention Center in Taguig City.

The broad participation will make the country’s longest-running art fair a truly international celebration of the visual arts.

Theme of the 2015 ManilArt, which again is supported by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is “Raising the Filipino Colors on the World Stage.”

Commercial art galleries from Singapore as well as the National Visual Arts Gallery of Malaysia will participate.

Also participating is the Secour Populaire Francais-Mirasol from France, which provides art-therapy sessions to victims of “Yolanda” and natural calamities.

With the support of the ManilArt continues to cross borders by featuring foreign artists and uplift Filipino pride by spotlighting sterling talents in the local art scene.

Among this year’s exhibitors are Archivo, Arte Pintura, Artery Manila, Artes Orientes, Art for Space, Art Galileia, Artologist, Asian Prime Contemporary, Big and Small, Bruno, Galerie Anna, Galerie Artes, Galerie Francesca, Galerie Nicolas, Galerie Raphael, Galerie Y, Gallery Big, Gallery Nine, L’Arc en Ciel, Quattrocento, Renaissance, Vmeme, 1335 Mabini, and 371 Art Space.

Returning as art fair curator is Jonathan Olazo.

Aside from separate previews for buyers and the press, ManilArt 2015 will also be hosting a special reception for the Philippine delegation to the 56th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition: curator Patrick Flores, filmmaker Mariano “Manny” Montelibano III and visual artist Jose Tence Ruiz.

The public shall also be treated to a video and photo show that maps out the country’s historic return to the Venice Biennale after a 51-year hiatus.

The Philippine’s participation in the 2015 Venice Biennale was made possible through the efforts of the NCCA, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and the office of Sen. Loren Legarda.

Fairgoers may also choose to attend the ManilArt 2015 lectures.

A COUPLE takes a closer look at works by Chinese artist Zhang Yuxi

In “Protecting Your Art,” audiences shall be informed about the basics of art insurance while in “Private Collection and the PRECUP,” the legal obligation of registering artworks in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties (PRECUP) will be discussed.

In “Art Go Bag 101,” art owners will be given disaster-preparedness and conservation tips that may help them protect their prized pieces from natural calamities.

Aside from its staple Walking Tour, ManilArt 2015 will also offer other activities such as art workshops, art authentication sessions and book launches.