KNOWN as the avenue for connecting artists and enthusiasts, “Art in the Park” achieved its goal of “art without the intimidation” at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati last April 14.
On its 12th year, the visual feast featured 59 art galleries that showcased paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and others at prices P50,000 and below.
“Aside from fundraising for the Museum Foundation of the Philippines for this event, we want [Art in the Park] to encourage enthusiasts or people who are not into art to just come and see,” Art in the Park organizer Trickie Lopa told the Varsitarian in an interview.
Art in the Park began as a platform for aspiring artists to share their skills to the general public.
“As an artist it was a humbling experience to be able to see the different reactions from the audience as well as to be within the same environment as other newbie and professional artists,” UST Fine Arts senior Bianca Co said.
Co’s “Taste Her Smile,” a painting of a lady in a floral set-up, depicts the “complexities of one woman.”
Ben Reyna, an alumnus of the College of Fine Arts and Design, sold a painting of a man taking a nap and falling mid-air with his laptop in “Bright Ideas.”
Reyna said he wanted to focus on a person’s “internal feelings” as a workaholic.
Dino Gabito’s “Distant” was a graphite drawing of a creased purple cloth. Graphite and watercolor were used as a medium, according to the artist, to make it more affordable to the buyers.
Music alumnus Fitz Herrera displayed his abstraction “Happy Series 1,” a 24 x 18 in. painting that illustrated a home in bright colors.
Jomike Tejido’s used the banig or native mat as a medium in “Untitled,” an orange and blue-hued rural-inspired painting.
“My signature is using acrylic on banig and I usually paint about nature –a subject that is pleasing to the eyes of the viewers,” Tejido commented.
Journalism alumna Dennese Victoria showcased a view of a starry night in “Richard’s Dashboard.”
Since its inception in 2006, Art in the Park has united art galleries, art schools and independent art spaces to uphold the Museum Foundation’s mission to spread awareness of the National Museum.
