I ATTENDED my first MaArte Fair many years ago, when it was still a small event at a tent near some mall. Though still limited in products, I was still quite impressed that most of the products were well-crafted, clever and, most of all, made by Filipino hands.
I managed to pick up a few items that caught my fancy then, and made a mental note to save up for the more exquisite pieces I lusted after. (One of these was a Michael Cacnio sculpture, which, despite its diminutive size, was still priced beyond my poor, struggling journalist budget. Sigh.)
Over the years, the fair has proferred even more artistic and ingenious wares, clothing, furniture and crafts, and even artisanal gourmet selections from a growing number of exhibitors. More often than not, you can find me ogling the home furnishings and, natch, the food.
And though sometimes I may go home empty-handed, the effort to attend the fair has never been a waste. Being surrounded by so much passion and dedication to creating products with unique materials or—how should I say it?—inspired viewpoints, always lifts my pride and love for our country and its people. It’s events like this that leave many attendees thinking a collective: “Ang galing ng Pinoy!”
The objective of the fair continues to be noble and pure. A project of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (MFPI), the yearly MaArte Fair helps raise funds for the foundation’s various programs, including those for the National Museum, by showing off products made by small-to-medium business owners and social enterprises.
The ninth edition of the fair, called MaArte at The Pen, will be held at the Peninsula Manila’s The Gallery from August 11 to 13. This year the foundation takes a different approach by featuring some 30 carefully chosen exhibitors and merchants in “MaArte Finds”, a unique showcase. Consultants Vicky Jalandoni and Katrina Gonzalez, inspired by the quiet elegance of the gallery, set out to create an intimate trunk show ambiance for the event.
“We’ve had to meticulously select a good mix of exhibitors, both old and new,” Vicky explains. “We will have 31 exhibitors this year and we are elated we have new merchants onboard, such as Mich Araullo, Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez for TDLG, Aranaz, Two Chic by TC Alvarez, Cabaña Workshop, Stockton Row, Nicole Whinsenhunt, Haute Home, Violetvine by Amarie and Filip+Inna.”
The streamlining of the purveyors will allow visitors to have a relaxed, seamless experience as they walk through the gallery and see the products artfully displayed within tropical living-room vignettes. “Think of it as being welcomed into the home of 30 highly celebrated Filipino craftsmen,” Katrina enthuses.
An interesting side event during the three-day trunk show is the “MaArTEA Talks”, a series of conversations with select business owners featured in the fair, offering entrepreneurial tips and insights into their work. The discussions will be supported by The Pen by serving specialty teas from two of the featured merchants in the fair—Tsaa Laya and da.u.de. The custom brews called MaArTea will be featured the entire month of August, during the afternoon tea service at the hotel’s famed lobby, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. Portions of the revenue generated will be donated to the MFPI.
“We are delighted to have The Peninsula Manila as a major partner for this event,” MFPI President
Albert Avellana says. “Before they expressed interest in taking part in MaArte, the foundation really wanted a fresh approach to how the event will be presented this year. It’s a partnership that’s for the long haul,” he adds.
For his part, the hotel’s general manager Mark J. Choon says: “We were totally taken with the idea of working with the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. For more than four decades, The Peninsula Manila has prided itself as a promoter and advocate of Philippine art and culture. We believe in nurturing the innate talent of the Filipino artist and in developing their skills and talents.”
Amid all the preparations for the upcoming fair, Avellana has already set his eyes on MaArte Year 10. “We’re relentless in our pursuit for new and exciting ways to generate resources for the foundation. Anything we learn from MaArte at The Pen will be put to good use for an even better fair next year.”
MFPI is a nonstock, not-for-profit membership and volunteer organization dedicated to developing greater awareness and appreciation of the Philippines’ rich artistic and cultural heritage, in partnership with the National Museum and its divisions and branches all over the country.
The foundation raises awareness and appreciation by conducting lectures and fellowships on Philippine art, history and culture; organizing cultural study tours in the Philippines and fundraising events, such as Art in the Park and MaArte fairs; extending financial assistance to the National Museum for activities related to education, exhibitions, publications, collection management and others activities; and forming partnerships with organizations with similar missions.
***The MaArte Fair is open to the public and free of charge. For particulars, call the MFPI at 697-9509 or 404-2685, e-mail inquiry@museumfoundationph.org or visit www.museumfoundationph.org.
Image credits: MFPI