I’m not a big fan of summer but one of the things I look forward to during the season is Art in the Park, the country’s most-awaited affordable art fair. It’s held every year at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati, and it’s a great way to explore the Philippine art scene in the refreshing space of a park. Entrance is free of charge so everyone is welcome!
This year’s run will be just as special with a good mix of art, food, special exhibits, and music. Here are things you should look out for at Art in the Park 2019 on March 17:
1. Artwork from 56 galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups
What makes Art in the Park special is that the pieces are affordable and capped at P50,000. It’s a steal when you consider that two buyers unknowingly bought an unsigned BenCab painting and an unsigned Manny Garibay last year. Of course, many of the pieces are priced much, much less. You also get to support the arts scene since a portion of all sales goes to the Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MFPI) to fund their projects and programs for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network.
Some of the exhibiting spaces include 1335MABINI, Artinformal, Finale Art File, Pinto Gallery, Silverlens, Vinyl on Vinyl, and more. Click here for the complete list of participants.
2. Zean Cabangis’s From the space in which we stand
Zean Cabangis will be designing this year’s postcards. The work will be a photo transfer of one of his photographs that he then painted over. Owning one of these is just as good as having one of his prized works so make sure you get one while they are still available. His other works will be available at the MFPI booth.
3. Yeo Kaa’s Alone But Not Lonely
Yeo Kaa is known for her candy-colored stylized figuration that’s reminiscent of fictional characters from children’s books. She will be bringing her inflatable Alone But Not Lonely, which was recently exhibited in Singapore. She will also have tile work at the MFPI booth, so it’s best to come early if you want to buy since it sold out at Art Fair Philippines.
4. Leeroy New’s Aliens of Manila
Leeroy New’s Aliens of Manila will be gracing Art in the Park 2019, too! The project plays “upon the idea of offbeat characters who thrive on the edge of the urban landscape.”
5. Oscar Mejia’s Enigma of Scent
For the first time in Art in the Park, the organizers are bringing in fragrance art by master perfumer Oscar Mejia. In Enigma of Scent, he aims to invoke personal experiences among fairgoers through the mysterious sense of smell. The exhibition will also talk about the history of the country’s perfume industry.
6. Some good jazz and blues music
One of the highlights of Art in the Park 2019 is the live music and this year will not disappoint. The Soulful Mood trio will be performing jazz music throughout the day, while Bleu Rascals will give a special blues performance in the evening. The band is the Philippines’ representative to the 28th International Blues Challenge in the US.
7. And food, too!
Another thing I look forward to is the food. This year will have a selection of sweet and savory (even vegan) fare. Some recommended dishes are by chef Justin Golangco, the man behind Bucky’s famous fried chicken and The Alley’s SideChick.
This story is in partnership with Art in the Park. Art in the Park is open from 10AM to 10PM. It is organized for the benefit of the Museum Foundation of The Philippines For more information, visit www.artinthepark.ph or its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Here are my writeups from 2018, 2017, 2014, and 2013.