The more things change, the more they stay the same. On Sunday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Art in the Park celebrates its eighth year. Manila’s most awaited affordable art fair expands and takes over the entire space of Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City. Tents full of paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture will lie spread out over the park’s grassy portion. The branches of sprawling Acacia trees in the park’s other side, its asphalted section, will throw shade on even more participants as 58 galleries, art schools, independent art groups, and collectives take part in this year’s fair.
While the growing number of exhibitors reflects the increased interest in the Philippine art market, Art in the Park remains true to its mission of promoting appreciation for the visuals arts in a relaxed, unintimidating setting. Visitors can spend the day exploring the various booths, check the different art pieces while enjoying the fair’s casual ambience. Special installations by illustrator Jomike Tejido and Art Lab’s Maxine Syjuco will stand alongside drawings and paintings by big-name artists who have executed new pieces just for the fair. Collectible toys, stoneware, and artfully repurposed furniture wait to be discovered. You can find traditional still lifes or illuminated light boxes, something for every inclination. For first-time collectors, the fair serves as a great introduction to Philippine artists. Art aficionados will surely chance upon new artists. And all for P30, 000 an art work and below.
Those who come each year know that art buyers can’t help but linger throughout the day, and well into the evening. The bustle never ends as frenzied buying gives way to the chill of catching up with artists, gallery owners, fellow art lovers, and friends over food, wine and live music. El Chupacabra’s mouth-watering Mexican bites go down perfectly with the chilled whites and reds from the Straits Wine Company, and the summer mojitos and sisig wraps of Windows Café. Drink San Miguel Beer, Magnolia juices and Coca-Cola with the offerings of Bale Dutung, Rafik Shawarma, Yuan’s Paella, Nic’s Gourmet, Culinary Exchange, The Kitchen, and Desserts by Ginny.
Indeed, while Art in the Park 2014 gets supersized, it remains the most accessible cultural event of the year.
Art in the Park 2014 participants include AAP-UST CFAD JC, Aimless, Altro Mondo Gallery, Ang INK, Art Informal, Art Lab, Art Verite Gallery, Art Wednesday, Art4S Gallery, Avellana Art Gallery, Blanc, Boston Art Gallery, Canvas, Cevio Art Haus, DLSU College of St. Benilde, Espasyo Siningdikato, Famous Artists, Feati University School of Fine Arts, FEU Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts, Finale Art File, Galeria de las Islas, Galerie Artes, Galerie Astra, Gallery Frames, Gallery Orange, Kanto Artist Run Space, Kulay Art Group, L’Arc en Ciel Gallery, Lemuria, MAG, Mendez Big and Small Art Co., Metro Gallery, Nineveh Artspace, Neo-Angono Artists Collective, Ortigas Foundation, Inc., Parokyano ng Malabon, Pete Jimenez, Potter’s Group, Ral Arrogante, Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery, Secret Fresh, Sheerjoy, Silverlens, Studio 1616, Studio Bohemia, Suez and Zapote Gallery, T.Art, TCAG, The Mighty Bhutens, The Thursday Group, Tin-Aw Art Gallery, TUP Fine Arts, TutoK, UP College of Fine Arts, uneARThed. and Framelogic, Vinyl on Vinyl, vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery, and Zone Five Camera Club.
Art in the Park is organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, and Philippine Art Events, Inc. in cooperation with Barangay Bel-Air, Makati Commercial Estate Association, and SmartCommunications. Bank of the Philippine Islands allows for credit-card payments.
For more information, e-mail [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or visit www.artinthepark.ph and www.facebook/artinthepark. Find #artintheparkph on Twitter and Instagram.
