The success of Art in the Park last year, its first face-to-face event since the pandemic, surprised not just everybody who trekked to the venue, but even the organizers themselves.
An estimated figure of 25,000 went to the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village Makati City last year, starting from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Normally, the average of Art in the Park was 15,000 to 18,000 visitors only.
After doing Art in the Park online and hybrid the previous years, the organizers – Trickie Lopa, Lisa Periquet and Rhona Macasaet – are back to their grind for the much-awaited art day out on March 17, Sunday.
“There were so many people last year,” Periquet told ANCX. “Our set-up had to change. The park became a huge green park. We closed one street, Toledo, which really helped for people to enjoy the food, especially.
“Then we added more dining tents, where people can sit down so they are encouraged to hang around. In the park, it’s all stalls. Not much dining there, although it has a similar set-up. The challenge is really to do the same layout and see how it works.”
The organizers are making sure the park isn't too crowded for a more relaxing atmosphere.
"The vibe of Art in the Park is go with the flow," Periquet said. “It was not super organized. When we take in the artists who will join, we simply ask them for the samples of their works.”
“We always look out for something new. Sometimes, it’s a different medium, pottery or sculpture that is pretty good.”
Two birds, one stone
Necessity was what prompted the organizers to start Art in the Park 18 years ago. “Lisa and I both helped conceptualize the Salcedo Saturday Market,” Lopa said. “We needed something to celebrate the second anniversary of the Salcedo Saturday Market.
“We were both living in Salcedo Village at that time. I had just joined the board of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, so we hit two birds with one stone.
“Find a way to earn money for the museum and do something to celebrate the second anniversary of the Salcedo market. ‘Art in the Park’ signals when art really becomes a pleasure to me and it’s not work.”
Art in the Park takes a whole year of planning for Lopa. To her, it’s a full-time job.
“It’s the best,” insisted Lopa, who considers the event more important than her birthday. “Through Art in the Park, it started my whole involvement with art. It’s because of Art in the Park that led to our founding the Art Fair.
“Art Fair happens in February, followed by Art in the Park which typically happens in March,” she said. “We take a break for medium month in April, then May, we start in earnest for next year, basically because art cannot be produced overnight.
“We start getting in touch with the artists who will join, both for the Art Fair and Art in the Park. Personally, I spend the rest of the year really enjoying art, mixing business with pleasure.
“I visit other art fairs and follow the art calendar. Because I enjoy it very much, I look at art 24/7. I talk about art 24/7. I met so many artists and gallery owners through the years. Some have come and gone. You keep on making friends and discovering new artists.”
A year of planning
For Macasaet, it’s likewise a whole year of planning. “It takes a lot of coordinating. That’s very busy for Trickie and Lisa. They are winding up Art Fair then at the same time, planning for Art in the Park.
“I guess they made a template to go by the last 18 years. But everything is fun for us. We are enjoying the planning and meeting the artists who join.”
Periquet added, “Art in the Park was the impetus. We were convinced to join an art fair like the ones abroad. It’s a really important event. The fact that it’s 18 years.
“Anything that lasts in this country for 18 years, sort of the same way, consistent, doing the same thing, that means something useful. In the pandemic, we just pivoted online. The online was quite successful, too. The auctions also did pretty well.”
Periquet always loves to see the number of people who trove to the park. “Even if it sometimes feels uncomfortable, personally, I love to see people come and visit the park,” she maintained. “A lot of young people are coming to the park. They look at the art works and pieces.”
Every year, the organizers try to limit the number of exhibitors. For the 18th year, Art in the Park gathers over 60 exhibitors representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces and student groups.
The groups present a vibrant showcase of diverse talents and offer an opportunity for fair visitors to engage, interact and immerse themselves in Filipino creativity.
Art works are capped at P70,000, with coveted art pieces scouted for less.
Special exhibitors
Every year, Art in the Park introduces special exhibitors. This year, there are contemporary artist Demi Padua, abstractionist Clarence Chun and young artist Pepe Delfin.
Padua is featured this year with his acrylic medium. “More on painting, no mixed media,” Padua informed. “This time, I’m planning to add prints, mixed media, collage. I still do it.
“I just want to surprise myself what will come out of my work. I enjoy doing that. Nothing is too formal. I play with my work. I always do that. I was doing abstract before then I did figurative [art]. The combination of that is my work – abstract figurative art.”
Delfin is exhibiting her murals this year, while Chun will show “very eye-catching and beautiful works.”
Art in the Park is organized by Philippine Art Events, Inc. and benefits the Museum Foundation of the Philippines annually in support of the projects and programs for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network.