Spend a leisurely Sunday at 'Art in the Park' this March 17

Art in the Park is that time of the year when lovers of art get to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon and they get to dress down while engaging, interacting, and immersing themselves in Filipino creativity.

The country’s favorite and most anticipated art day out turns 18 and it is all set on March 17, Sunday at the Jaime Velasquez park in Makati City from 10am to 10pm. Fair-goers will get to see over 60 exhibitors representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups to present a vibrant showcase of diverse talents. Prices of artworks are capped at P70,000 with many art lovers scoring coveted pieces for even far less.

Entrance to the fair is free for all of course.

For co-founder Trickie Lopa, even planning Art in the Park is always exciting.

"There's a treasure hunt if you're so inclined--who knows what will turn up," she says. "We always invite special exhibitors who we feel will be a treat for the Art in the Park visitors to see. And we have a great selection of pottery... and I think Art in the Park has had a great role in really celebrating our ceramic artists. If you talk to a lot of them, they'll say they got their big break and confidence here."Feature artists for this year include multimedia graphic artist Demi Padua and abstractionists Pepe Delfin and Clarence Chun.

By Demi Padua

Padua is considered one of the most sought-after Filipino contemporary artists. His works intrigue audiences through its composition, blending figurative and abstract elements. The effect is a series of collage-like images that conceal and reveal subjects beneath layers of photo-realistic materials, peeling away to unmask their real identities without fear of judgment.

Padua, who has exhibited his works in every edition of Art in the Park since 2006, says that it is here where artists get the opportunity to be discovered and known by both casual and serious art collectors.

For this edition, Padua isn't following a certain theme with the works he'll be presenting, adding that he wanted to make pieces freely and without any pressure.

By Pepe Delfin

Delfin, on the other hand, explores abstract forms through geometric shapes, squiggles, and lines. She carefully places each element to produce a visual storytelling of the artist's experiences, observations, and relationships with people and contemporary life. In her works, Delfin constructs scenes portraying solitude and a multitude of emotions through vibrant hues and structured compositions.

 

By Clarence Chun

Chun, who primarily engages in abstraction to create narratives centered on his connections and relationships to places he had lived in, is another abstractionist joining this year. Growing up in Leyte and later residing in Hawaii, Chun's body of work depicts biographical narratives drawn from his personal history as a first-generation immigrant.

Clarence Chun, Demi Padua, Rhona Macasaet, Trickie Lopa, Lisa Periquet, Pepe Delfin

There will be a variety of food and beverage concessionaires at the fair, offering fairgoers the opportunity to indulge in familiar favorites and explore new offerings whether they're craving for a quick bite or looking to savor cocktails.

The vibe at Art in the Park is also enhanced by music from Any Name’s Okay and Soulful Mood throughout the day.

This year’s exhibitors include Ang INK, Archivo 1984, Arnold Art Collection, Art for Space, Art LAB, Art Toys PH, Art Underground, Art Verite, Artbeat Collective, Artery Art Space, Authenticity Zero Collective, Avellana Art Gallery, Boston Art Gallery, Cartellino, Cevio Art Haus, Cornerstone, FA Gallery, FotomotoPH, Fuse Projects, Galería de las Islas, Galeria Paloma, Galerie Anna, Galerie Artes, Galerie Stephanie, ILCP Art Space, ISTORYA STUDIOS, J Studio, John and Tessy Pettyjohn, Kaida Contemporary, Kalawakan Spacetime, KASIBULAN, Komiket, Kulay Art Group, Kuta Artists Group, Looking for Juan, MAG, Metro Art Gallery, MONO8, Nineveh Artspace, Orange Project, Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum, Qube Gallery, Redlab, Resurrection Gallery, Sheerjoy, Sierra Madre Gallery, Space Encounters, Superduper Gallery, The Mighty Bhutens, Thursday Group, Tin-Aw Art Projects, Tiny Canvas, UP Artists Circle, UP College of Fine Arts, Urban Sketchers, Village Art Gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, Vmeme Contemporary, White Walls Gallery, and Ysobel Art Gallery.

BPI Credit Cardholders will enjoy special perks and privileges in this year’s edition of Art in the Park. For a minimum purchase of P3,000.00 at the fair, BPI Credit Cardholders may convert their purchases into monthly installments at 0% interest for up to six months thru BPI’s Special Installment Plan. BPI also offers its cardholders a Buy Now Pay 3 months Later option, with the first amortization posting three months after the purchase date, and 100% Bonus Madness Limit on installment purchases for qualified credit cardholders.

Art in the Park is organized by Philippine Art Events, Inc., for the benefit of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines with support from Globe Platinum and Bank of The Philippine Islands, and with partners MACEA, Barangay Bel Air, and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.

For more information, please visit www.artinthepark.ph and follow www.facebook/artinthepark and @artintheparkph on Instagram.

Art in the Park continues to benefit the Museum Foundation of the Philippines in support of its projects and programs for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network. By Dexter R. Matilla