Gateway Art Fair opens 5th year with record number of exhibitors, first-ever awards

Gateway Art Fair, Quezon City's highly anticipated celebration of visual arts, officially opened its fifth edition, and biggest yet, on October 1 at Araneta City.

The event, which runs from October 1 to 4, showcases artworks from 250 local participants – the highest number since the fair began – across Gateway Malls 1 and 2, making this year's edition the biggest yet.

The main exhibit unfolds at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2, where 36 booths featuring artists and art groups from different parts of the country showcase their works. Among the participants are Yaru Nu Artes Ivatan, Voyage: Mindo Artist Group, UST College of Fine Arts, Artistica PH, Pugad in Art Studio, Female Art Addicts, and more. Admission to the exhibit is free.

Aside from enjoying the exhibit, the public is also invited to engage with art directly through hands-on workshops in mandala-making, collaborative drawing, soft sculpture, rubber and relief cutting, and other free activities from October 2 to 4 at Gateway Mall 1.

Visitors can further immerse themselves in art through installations designed by local artists. These include works by Chris Luca exploring the struggles of commuting; Elias Pernecita Jr. highlighting art and sustainability; and Nina Chanco Libatique presenting an interactive and playful artwork for pets. These installations are located on Levels 3 and 4 of Gateway Mall 2.

Presented by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), Gateway Gallery, and Araneta City; co-presented by Metrobank; and held in partnership with Megaworld, the Gateway Art Fair reinforces JAAF's core mission of opening gateways to creative and economic opportunities. It has been held annually at Araneta City since 2022.

Gateway Art Fair Awards
The fair's opening ceremony on October 1 was marked by the inauguration of the 1st Gateway Art Fair Awards. 

Winners were chosen among this year’s participants, and were recognized under three categories: the Gateway Art Fair Masterpiece Award for an outstanding artwork in the exhibit, the Breakthrough Artist Award for a piece that presents a unique perspective, and the Exhibit of the Year Award for the best-designed booth.

The winners were:
• Quarto Arts for the Gateway Art Fair Masterpiece Award
• Vice Versa Artists Group for the Breakthrough Artist Award
• Artist duo and sisters Marj Sula-Aquino and Mathilda Sula-Sun for the Exhibit of the Year Award

Winners received a trophy sculpted by Jenny Cortes, PHP 10,000 in cash from JAAF, PHP 10,000 worth of gift certificates from National Book Store, and PHP 10,000 worth of Boysen paint products.

The opening ceremony was attended by key cultural and civic leaders, including Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte; NCCA Program Management and Evaluation Division Chief Edwin Dipalac; Cultural Center of the Philippines Visual Arts and Museum Division OIC Mark Jones Medina; JAAF President Rowell Recinto; JAAF Executive Director Diane Romero; Araneta City Vice President for Marketing Marjorie Go; Metrobank Foundation Head of the Arts and Design Unit Lalaine Calicdan; Boysen Paint Philippines Area Manager Harold Lim; National Book Store COO Maricel Diaz; and Prof. Toym Imao of the UP College of Fine Arts.

Since its launch, the Gateway Art Fair has provided a platform for artists and art groups from across the country to showcase their creativity through the annual fair and year-round developmental and support initiatives.