Gallery in the Green: Your Guide to Art in the Park 2024

“For its 18th edition, Art in the Park gathers over 60 exhibitors representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups to present a vibrant showcase of diverse talents and to offer an opportunity for fairgoers to engage, interact, and immerse themselves in Filipino creativity,” shares Art in the Park 2024.

Co-organizer Trickie Lopa says that the free-for-all annual art day out started in 2006, “in celebration of the second anniversary of Salcedo Market” that they form part of. “The event has always been held in Jaime Velasquez Park, so we don’t plan to take it elsewhere. The park itself is part of the Art in the Park history and tradition.” This year’s fair observes the same setup as the previous ones where the park is transformed into a creative market, with exhibitors having their own booths and visitors free to roam around.

What then, is there to watch out for in this upcoming edition? “We try to keep Art in the Park fresh by injecting new ideas each edition. Of course, the special feature artists are different every year,” answers co-organizer Lisa Periquet. “We also have collectives like Fotomoto PH, who was with us at the recently concluded Art Fair Philippines 2024, joining us in Art in the Park for the first time.” Periquet shares that Art in the Park has always been about bringing people together, which is why the event often works with groups. “I believe we featured individual artists for sculpture at one point as they are less than other artists in terms of number, but we usually like working with galleries, art collectives, fine arts schools, and the like. This makes the event more democratic, giving more individuals a chance to showcase their work.”

Special Exhibitors

Demi Padua

Filipino contemporary artist Demi Padua, who has exhibited his works in every edition of Art in the Park since 2006, was selected as one of this edition’s featured artists. Padua is known for combining figurative and abstract elements in his works, with shapes, images, and textures resulting in “a collage-like piece that conceals and reveals” layers of subjects. The artist says that most of his pieces for Art in the Park will stick to this theme. “What I appreciate about Art in the Park is how it emphasizes that art is for everyone,” the artist shares with Kanto. He has also been an active participant in Art Fair Philippines and says that while Art Fair is “more formal,” Art in the Park “allows artists to reach more people beyond their network and frees them from the confines of studios and gallery walls.”

The artist adds that the outdoor event also “invites us to simply let go and enjoy” and encourages artists and participants to make the most out of the day. “For artists, we get one day to showcase our work and make our mark to more people, so we have to put our best foot forward! On the other hand, a huge significant gathering such as this is rarely free for everyone, so the public should maximize the opportunity to learn more about and connect with the Filipino art industry.”

Pepe Delfin

“I am thrilled to be one of this year’s Art in the Park featured artists, and never really imagined for this to happen,” opens Pepe Delfin, who has also participated in the fair’s previous editions through MONO8. Delfin is an Information Design graduate and is known for her exploration of abstract forms “through geometric shapes, squiggles, and lines.” She shares that her works are “open to anyone’s interpretation,” and invites audiences to look beyond the vibrant hues and structured compositions. “What I was thinking of while I was creating the artwork is not the point. What matters is what people see and take away when they look at it,” the artist underlines. “Sometimes my friends would even tell me what they think my work is about before asking me, but that’s only because they know I allow my work to be owned by everyone else once it’s out there. There are also times when people would see something in my work that I never saw myself, and once I do, I cannot unsee!”

Delfin hopes to see the same interactive and conversational energy for her Art in the Park 2024 exhibit. “I prepared a canvas where visitors can add stickers and be part of the artwork. I hope this will help people become more comfortable in seeing and interacting with my work.” Aside from giving us a teaser on her booth, Delfin also shared some of her advocacies and passion projects such as working with various Non-Profit Government Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The artist also produces visual work on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. “I also like exploring other mediums and discovering more about what I can do. It’s important for any creative to just keep pushing forward while never forgetting to give back.”

Clarence Chun

Another abstractionist and MONO8 Gallery artist joining this 2024 roster of Art in the Park featured artists is Clarence Chun, who “primarily engages in abstraction to create narratives centered on his connections and relationships to places he had lived in.” Chun spent a childhood in Leyte and later resided in Hawaii as an adult, so his body of work “depicts biographical narratives drawn from his personal history as a first-generation immigrant.” Chun narrates that he and his wife, Kelli Maeshiro, who is also a contemporary artist, recently moved from Makati City to Antipolo, and have been “appreciating the beautiful views since.”

“Has the move affected your artistic process or given you more inspiration?” Kanto asks, to which Chun replies: “I wouldn’t say it has affected me that much because I’m actively looking for inspiration.” His wife Kelli argues, “No, it affected you at some point! He was so excited about the house that I always had to send him interior photos while he was away, and he started a certain set of works when we moved.” Chun concedes and jokingly says “Okay, she’s right. Whatever she says.”

Chun also shares that he is definitely excited to experience Art in the Park as a featured artist, as he has always found the Filipino creative community different. “One thing I’ve observed is that the community here is very open and supportive. It’s amazing because you don’t get to experience that kind of support in every place you go to.”

More in the Market

Apart from the 60 exhibitors and the fair’s featured artists, Art in the Park also opens its grounds to new and old food and beverage concessionaires. The organizers say that the presence of these booths makes it convenient for fairgoers to roam around the area while “indulging in familiar favorites or exploring new offerings.” Periquet explains that this is also the event’s way of providing a space for creative businesses to market and connect with the community.

“It’s all about discovering creativity in all its forms, or meeting new names in the community,” Periquet adds. “Last year, we had a digital projection for Art in the Park, so we are pushing to continue that this 2024. One of our interns sings in a young Filipino band, so we asked them to play their music during the fair in line with our goal of making the event a platform for young creatives to share their talents.” The musical performances will happen throughout the day, with the bands Any Name’s Okay and Soulful Mood taking turns playing sets.

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.

When asked what they want people to take away from this year’s art day out, Periquet ends: “Just open your eyes to new ideas and feel free to explore! That’s what Art in the Park is all about.” •

Art in the Park aims to make art “more affordable”, with prices of artworks capped at P70,000. 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 through 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, visit artinthepark.ph