The MaArte Fair moves to The Pen
FOR ITS 9th year, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.’s (MFPI) MaArte Fair will be taken from the enclave of Rockwell to the Peninsula Manila for a more intimate shopping experience, the fair renamed to reflect the change to MaArte at The Pen.
This year’s setup will be made to look like a tropical drawing room, as if guests arrived to sell their prized possessions to friends. The MaArte Fair will be held from August 11-13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The change in venue reflects the partnership that the hotel and the fair have entered into. “It’s a partnership that is for the long haul,” said MFPI President Albert Avellana. “They’re not looking at it as a one-time tenant thing. It’s more of a collaboration.”
The partnership will also entail a food promotion at the hotel: The Peninsula Manila will serve specialty teas by two of the featured merchants in the fair — Tsaa Laya and da.u.de. The custom brews, called MaArTea, will be featured for the entire month of August during Afternoon Tea service at The Lobby, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Portions of the sales will be donated to MFPI.
The MaArte Fair, along with Art in The Park, serve as two of the main fund-raisers for the MFPI. According to Mr. Avellana, 50% of last year’s sales immediately went to the MFPI, which in turn partly funded projects such as the Museum of Natural History, docent and museum guide training programs, as well as acquiring a new collection for the National Museum. “We’re still looking at other projects,” he said over tea at the Pen last week.
While previous MaArte fairs had about 70 exhibitors, the smaller venue this year encouraged the MFPI to invite only about 30 exhibitors. New faces at the fair include Mich Araullo, Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez for TDLG, Aranaz, Two Chic by TC Alvarez, Cabaña Workshop, Stockton Row, Nicole Whisenhunt, Haute Home, Violetvine by Amarie, and Filip+Inna. “I think with them, there’s a fresh, younger market,” said Mr. Avellana.
This year’s homeware vendors are: Haute Home, Joey de Castro Pottery, Siegrid Bangyay’s Stoneware Pottery, Balay ni Atong, Milvidas Tina Romualdez / Maitoni CuUnjieng; Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation; Beyond Borders Philippines; KASSA Art of Table; Iraya Mangyan Art; and Cabaña Workshop.
There will also be jewelry from TDLG, Stockton Row, Nicole Whisenhunt, TimTam Ong T, Unang Panahon Arts & Antiques, N Lagdameo, and Micki Olaguer; clothing from Mich Araullo, Two Chic by TC Alvarez, La Herminia Piña, Filip + Inna, Violetvine by Amarie, Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation / Tepiña, Antukin Isa Velayo; and fashion accessories and scents from Aranaz Amina Aranaz, Oscar Mejia Artisan Fragrances, Tali Handmade, Yvette’s Bags, Creative Definitions, Chill by Nooks, and MCV Designs.
Since this is a fund-raiser, wouldn’t the smaller venue and fewer vendors become a hindrance for actually raising more funds? Mr. Avellana did not have such doubts, saying, “We just have to do MaArte. We’re not trying to reach goals of income. We promise to offer a quality event.”
“Every time you shop, you donate to yourself. When you shop, a donation goes to the Museum Foundation; the foundation donates to the National Museum, and the Museum is yours. Every centavo you spend is actually for you.” —