MANILA, Philippines - Bright orange root-like plastic structures hang down from the trees, colorful graffiti sprouts up near the children’s playground and jazz music wafts throughout the park – the explosion of color and creativity could only mean one thing ….  Art In The Park is back! 

The annual affordable art fair of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines comes to town again on Saturday, 19 February 2011 from 2-10 pm at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati.

Art In The Park is an event that people have come to look forward to. Bringing together almost 40 galleries, artist groups and creative collectives in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a neighborhood park; it makes art accessible and art buying a less intimidating affair. 

Unlike the frenzied energy of most art fairs, Art In The Park is more akin to a reunion of artists and gallerists all hanging out and catching up with each other, allowing park goers to feel comfortable leisurely browsing through the booths and striking up a conversation with the people manning them. 

And with the price of all artworks capped at 20,000 pesos (P20,000) even purchasing the art is less daunting. This year’s Art In The Park spills beyond the borders of the Jaime Velasquez park to the surrounding establishments.

There will be a lecture on the conservation efforts at San Sebastian Church at 4pm in Salcedo Auctions, and special exhibits in the restaurant Apartment 1B and in the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences.

The participants of Art In The Park have expanded over the past few years to include those artists that have been discovered by members of the Museum Foundation on the foundation’s heritage tours around the country, such as Amarela from Bohol and the Cebu Artists Inc; and other groups based outside of Metro Manila such as Nineveh Art Space in Laguna, Neo-Angono Artists and Parokyano ng Malabon. 

Inviting them to participate in the art fair is the Museum Foundation’s way of exposing art lovers in Manila to the art scene in other parts of the country.

New to Art In The Park art this year are Pablo, a cutting edge gallery that showcases both up and coming artists and the leading lights of contemporary Philippine art, Delirium Art and Design, an online store that sells limited edition designer objects created by artists and designers with, according to their website “love and just a little bit of madness” ; Electrolychee, the graphic design duo of Marcushiro and Bru with their pop-inspired art, and Vinyl on Vinyl a recently opened gallery selling collectible toys and urban art; all four definitely expanding the range of art styles on offer at AIP.

Another welcome participant to the artfair is Gallery Frames, one of most respected framers in the country.  They provide buyers with the convenience of having paintings framed immediately after their purchase, then either picking them up or having them delivered a few days after.

Other new booths to look out for are Arnold Art by Ambassador Theo Arnold and Resurrection; both featuring items that have been passionately collected and carefully selected by their proprietors.  Ambassador Arnold’s booth will carry old prints while Resurrection will have environmental and hand crafted furniture.

Art In The Park regulars, Tin-aw, Blanc, Avellana Art Gallery, Art Informal, Nova Art Gallery, Gallery Genesis, Art Verite, L’Arc en Ciel, Metro Gallery, Art Wednesday, Artis Corpus, Galerie Astra, Kulay Art Group, Galeria De Las Islas, FEATI University School of Fine Arts, TutoK, Tintero Art and Design, Ral Arrogante, Tara Soriano, TUP Fine Arts, UST College of Fine Arts & Design and UP College of Fine Arts all make their return to Salcedo Park.  Specialist art groups such as the pottery group of Putik, the Printmakers Association of the Philippines, Zone Five Camera Club, Electrolychee and the Invisible Sisters continue to contribute to the diversity of media and artforms on view while I.N.K (Ilustrador ng Kabataan) Canvas and Sheerjoy, with their illustrations for children appeal to the youngest of art lovers.

Over the past couple of years, Art In The Park has extended its vision of the art fair to include exposing the public to contemporary art installations.  This year Leeroy New reprises the installation that was originally mounted onto the facade of the Ateneo Art Gallery. 

In the Jaime Velasquez Park, Balete, takes on a different significance.  The orange flexible conduit tubes recall the saffron Gates of Christo in Central Park, NY.  Wewilldoodle‘s street art intervention in the playground area gives park visitors the opportunity to interact with the artists as they work.

No fair and afternoon in the park would be complete without refreshments provided this year by Rafik Shawarma, Pizza di Grazzia,  Golden Spoon, Nic’s bakeshop, Windows Cafe and Straits Wine Company.

There will be a special musical performance at 8 in the evening – a perfect way to cap off a day spent wandering around a park looking at art.

Art In The Park is on Saturday, 19 February 2011 from 2 – 10 pm at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati.  It is organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines with the help of Baranggay Bel Air, Security Bank and Rubert James Exhibit Masters Corp. Part of the proceeds will go to the foundations’s programs that raise awareness and appreciation for the National Museum and its network.

You can also visit the Art In The Park Facebook page.