A fair by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines will offer exquisite local products in the Rockwell Tent from August 29 to 31.
The word “maarte” is a Tagalog word that originally meant artful and not the adjective used in this era where it has a negative connotation. A word that depicts all that is beautiful, vibrant, and well-made; the MaARTe Artisan Fair will be staged at the Rockwell Tent on August 29 to 31.
The event is an annual fundraising project of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, which is a nonstock and nonprofit membership and volunteer organization dedicated to developing greater awareness and appreciation for the Philippines’ rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Now in its fifth year, the fair will weave chosen unique pieces from decor to accessories that were exquisitely designed and finely crafted by local Filipino artisans from all over the country in one location. Every piece has a significant story behind it.
Abre Linea, Inc, is a line of contemporary and graphically designed hand-woven bags. It was founded by high-school friends Anna Veloso Tuazon, Claude Rodrigo Canete, and Joy Yu, who started the livelihood project for Typhoon Haiyan survivors to earn between planting and harvest season in Eastern Visayas. The project focuses on the weaving of Frimbistylis globulosa (locally known as “ticog grass”) and Corypha (locally known as “buri”) palm leaves, local resources that Eastern Visayas is known for. The name of the line comes from a word that means “open” in Waray.
Anne Marie Saguil is the creative director of hand-embroidered and woven clothes, bags and accessories called Amarie, which aims to celebrate Philippine elegance and traditions and sustain the livelihoods of creative women.
In 1995 Raffy and Jackie Caballero established the Art of Gold Enterprises, Inc., which is engaged in the Filipino’s original art on hand painted throw pillows and bed spreads. The variety of products they can produce has increased as they shifted to other woven materials such as abaca silk and pandan mats. Silk screening is also a specialized skill that the company is able to use.
Carissa Cruz-Evangelista founded the artisanal brand called Beatriz Accessories. It works with local Philippine craftsmen, designers, and artists to make beautiful accessories and bags.
EJ Espiritu is a ceramic engineer who develops his own clay body and glazes that generate environment friendly, earthy, and elegant pottery.
Created by Macky Fah, FäE Candles, which means fairy, is a line of candles made of beeswax and organic essence that produce smokeless flame
FREEWAY provides an extensive collection of smart, casual, and trendy work wear that merges renowned Philippine National Artists into the culture with current pop fashion.
Hacienda Crafts is a line of handcrafted house decor. The company trains farmers in weaving, lamp-making, and furniture construction so they could earn during the four months of rest.
Sustainably Made (by MARSSE Tropical Timber) presents wooden products made from trees grown in a sustainable tree farm and not from natural growth trees of diminishing natural forests. Each wooden product is crafted, sanded, and finished by local farm workers who have been given woodworking skills training from barangay communities.
Monchet Y Cia is the modified line of the heritage fan maker ç, who has been meticulously customising abanicos in the Spanish style for over 60 years.
Mandy de la Rama Santos is the brainchild behind the brand MUNEQUITA, which means baby doll or doll like in Spanish. The brand features camisons, shorts, dresses, and sets from newborn to 16 years of age.
Erica Concepcion-Reyes’s Riqueza showcases hand-crafted vintage, antique, and exotic statement pieces.
Tim Tam Ong’s is a jewellery designer, notable for her use of unique and intricately designed stones of various shapes and sizes.
Two Chic by the two Alvarez sisters presents relaxed and bohemian clothing.
The Museum Foundation of the Philippines will also include local food under its banner, MaARTe Eats, which visitors can indulge in at the MaARTe Lounge by Gree, and the MaARTe Café.
Dannie Alvarez is MaARTe committee’s creative director who envisions the MaArte Artisan Fair as a showcase for “museum-quality crafts” that will provide the visitor with a unique cultural shopping experience.
The MaARTe Artisan Fair will be held at the Rockwell Tent, Rockwell Drive Corner Estrella Street, Rockwell Center, Makati City. It will be on August 29-31, Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 10pm. For more details contact MFPI at +632.697.9509 or +632.404.2685. Email at inquiry@museumfoundationph.org or go to https://www.facebook.com/maartebymfpi.