The business of art at the DTI's Sikat Pinoy trade fair

Filipino artists—from the budding and struggling to the established and famous—will have their very first national trade fair from September 26 to 28 at the SM Megamall.

“Through the Sikat Pinoy National Art Fair, the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions is trying to create an entrepreneurial mindset among our artists, and help them reach a wider market,” said  Rhodora Leaño, director of the Department of Trade and Idustry's Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions.

Meant for art patrons, students of the Humanities, and people from everyday walks of life, the National Art Fair was conceptualized “to promote the creative arts and help local artists from all over the country develop their networks that will assist them in marketing their creative outputs and productions.”

Among the artists who will show off their wares and talents are sculptor Ral Arrogante and visual artist Fernando Sena. Arrogante will conduct a demonstration on the use of scrap and junk materials while Sena will have an art workshop.

The Sikat Pinoy National Art Fair could very well become the country's largest meet-and-greet between Filipino artists and their fans.

The middle of the Megatrade exhibit hall will have six clusters of exhibit booths for select artists of Music, Film, Dance, Literary Arts, and curators from museums.

Visual arts will dominate the perimeter of the fair venue. It will be dedicated to art galleries, art organizations, and non-government organizations.

Participating are Archivo 1984, Blanc Gallery, Boston Gallery, Finale Art File, Galleria Duemila, Liongoren Gallery, Pinto Art Museum, Silverlens Gallery, The Drawing Room, Tin-Aw Art Gallery, Paseo Art Gallery, and Avellana Art Gallery.

The Ateneo Art Gallery, Ayala Museum, CCP Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino, Far Eastern University, Jose B. Vargas Museum, Lopez Museum, National Cultural Center for the Arts, and Museum Foundation will all have their curators and staff milling around and keep their art senses on alert.

“The whole set-up is like having a community of creative people. ,The coffee shop and seating areas are there so that guests can freely interact and engage in discussions with the artists,” Leaño said.

Coke Bolipata of Casa San Miguel and his students and the ,Powerdance group of Douglas Nierras will perform.

The MAJAM jazz trio, Kabataang Gitarista, Liza Macuja Elizalde and Ballet Manila, rock/alternative band Lazaro, singers from Center for Pop Music, and Ato Mariano, a multi-instrument musician from Zamboanga will also have performances.

“Going around the venue, we hope the audience will take advantage of being among the artists. ,In addition, we are also hoping for interaction between artists from the different disciplines as well as among artisans and craft makers,” Leaño said.

There will also be a display of regional fine crafts from the regions, accentuated by a special setting featuring the recipients of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures Award).,

From the regions, there will be a selection of fine crafts like the Moriones masks from Marinduque or the Vakul headgear from Batanes.

The Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP) will turnover its 2014 print collection to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) during a special event. Book launches by Eloi Hernandez, Baidy Mendoza, Carlomar Arcangel Daona, and Jenny Orillos have ALSO been lined up.

“We want an informal and comfortable ambiance for visitors and art patrons. ,For onlookers, it's their first time exposure and hopefully, this would be a learning experience for them. ,For the collectors, we believe this kind of atmosphere will really help them take their time before they decide on their choices,” Director Leaño also said. — ELR/DVM, GMA News