The Museum Foundation of the Philippines has been focused on raising awareness regarding the rich artistic and cultural heritage that the country has to offer. With this aim, it continuously supports the National Museum of the Philippines as well as the various museum communities all over the country by lending a hand to their development programs.
One such activity that the foundation annually holds for this endeavor is the MaArte Fair, which is its flagship fundraising event that showcases artisanal goods made by local artisans.
Celebrating its 15th year, the MaArte Fair 2024 takes on the theme of Fab Finds, which puts a spotlight on the country’s endangered fauna such as the Philippine eagles, crocodiles, tamaraws, sea turtles, and tarsiers. The foundation hopes that the theme will raise more awareness regarding the conservation of the environment as well as the endangered species in the country.
Museum Foundation of the Philippines Vice President Gemma Cruz-Araneta shared that the previous year’s fair took on a botanical theme because the foundation had funded three botanical artists who were working with the National Museum as they were invited to go to Singapore.
As the foundation expanded the previous year’s theme from flora to now focus on fauna and to raise more awareness about the preservation of endangered animals, it also wanted to advocate for Filipino weavers by giving them space to showcase their goods in the fair.
“Weaving is a very important part of our heritage that we should not lose,” said Cruz-Araneta, adding the tragic fact that with the dying silk thread industry in the country, some materials in weaving that were previously produced here in the Philippines were now being outsourced outside of the country.
“When you come to the MaArte Fair, you will not only buy beautiful items but your contribution goes a long way. Just think that when buying a beautiful piece of malong or a modernized one, you’re helping not only the vendor, but also the weaver, the producer, the threads, and those who preserve the designs of our ancestors,” said Cruz-Araneta.
Last year’s fair was only held for three days with around 120 exhibitors, reaching about 10,000 in foot traffic. With this year’s fair now being held for four days with more exhibitors, the foundation expects to exceed the record number of attendees from the previous year.
With the fair being held at The Peninsula Manila Hotel once more, this year’s MaArte Fair will now have a total of 147 exhibitors which offer a wide array of Filipino artisanal products such as fashion accessories, jewelry, personal care products, home decor, toys and games, books, food and beverages, and many more.
The exhibitors will have their booths spread throughout the hotel’s 9th and 5th floors, Rigodon Ballroom, Garcia Villa, Balagtas Rooms, The Conservatory, and Upper Lobby. There will also be special side events and surprises that await attendees during the four days of the fair.
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the projects of the National Museum of the Philippines and museum communities in the country, the Museum Foundation’s research and project grants for their chosen grantees, and other programs and workshops of the foundation.
The MaArte Fair will run from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Peninsula Manila Hotel. For more updates about the MaArte at the Pen Fab Finds, visit their official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.museumfoundationph.org.
