Luzon Art Fair 2024: New Talent and Unique Artworks for Second Year

The Luzon Art Fair 2024 recently concluded its annual showcase of artworks from the region. The art event was open from October 3 to 6 at the Diwa ng Tarlac and Bulwagang Kanlahi in Tarlac City.

A host of guests attended this celebration of Philippine art, from politicians and fellow artists to the general public. Governor Susan Yap and Congressman Christian Yap graced the events on different days. Cong. Yap’s wife, Melissa Yeung-Yap, is the Chairperson of the Luzon Art Fair.

Field trips of school children found themselves surrounded by different paintings and activities that sought to expand their minds further. 

These large swatches of the local and regional population discovered more than artworks; the fair also planned out different activities that allowed people to participate in creating art themselves. Many ended up learning about the processes and ideas that come behind it in the first place. 

Bringing Art Creation to the Masses

Hundreds of artists, art groups, and exhibitors  displayed their wares at the Luzon Art Fair. This includes local art groups like Gamat Kapampangan Artists, Balaraw Art Collective, Olongapo Zambales Artists, KUTA Artists Group, and Folklore Pilipinas. 

Many of these groups hosted their own programs. Folklore Pilipinas handled a talk and workshop about depicting folk tales in art. Gamat Kapampangan Artists conducted a live mural painting event on the third day. KUTA Artists Group also hosted a talk on the first day.

Beyond that, the art fair also contained a large group of featured artists whose works took center stage during the three day exhibition. Among the highlights of the 37 featured artists are Cebu-based realist painter Orly Ypon, Antipolo-based sculpturist Pepe Mendoza, and Nueva Ecija-based artist Madeleine Vinuya. 

Some of the artists also offered workshops and talks centered on their skillsets. Malabon-based artist Bea Ferrer held an etching press workshop, while Rizal-based painter Siefred Guilaran taught a serigraph workshop. Jenifer T. Bernardo and Jerikko Cabalo directed a workshop on the basics of photography.

Tarlac National Art Competition

During the third day of the Luzon Art Fair, they held the 8th Tarlac National Art Competition. The competition features six different categories: sculpture, digital art, photography, print and ink, and representational and non-representational paintings. These are the artists who took home the grand prize in their respective categories:

• Justin Carl C. Ancheta – Sculpture category
• Nova Lucernas – Non-Representational Painting category
• Ezey – Representational Painting category
• Guillermo R. Abrenica – Digital Art category
• Cesar B. Diaz – Photography category
• Noel Sadicon – Print & Ink category

Winners for the painting and sculpture categories each received a PhP100,000 cash prize, a trophy and certificate of recognition, and a feature at Katinko Artbox. The remaining categories received a PhP10,000 cash prize, a certificate of recognition, and the aforementioned feature. 

Other categories which offered recognition for the artists included the Governor’s Choice, the Vice Governor’s Choice, the Jurors’ Choices, and the Sponsors’ Picks. The Governor’s Choice gave a cash prize of PhP50,000, while the others gave PhP30,000 per winner. The following artists received the following awards. 

Governor’s Choice

• Noel Sadicon
• Alvin Dela Peña Ancheta
• Oliver C. Marquez

Vice-Governor’s Choice

• Ronilo R. Francesco Jr.

Juror’s Choice

• Jay-Jay L. Mendoza
• Alvin Ritual Jr.
• Mileton E. Araneta
• Mark Kenneth S. Garcia
• Jefferson Padlan
• Elbert M. Caballero
• Emel H. Espiritu
• Anthonie A. Genosa

Sponsor’s Pick

• Mary Grace A. Santos
• Joel Reglos
• Jaylord Sanchez
• Ronaldo Q. Ruiz
• Eddie Santillan
• Jonathan C. Borjal
• Glen Mark Garcia
• John Patrick Gante

All these winning artists were featured in a special exhibition specifically dedicated to the competition.

Prominent Stage for Artists; Inspiration for the Masses

The Luzon Art Fair 2024 was not just a display of prominent artists in the country; it served as a connective tissue between the art community and the broader Filipino community as a whole. 

Art is meant to be seen and admired by people of all ages. The Luzon Art Fair gave many artists an opportunity to reach a broader audience; but more than that, it aimed to inspire many potential artists across class and income divides in the country. More than beauty, it signified the continuous cultural growth of an emerging nation.

Photos provided by the organizers.

Related reading: Luzon Art Fair Announces Its Second Year of Showcasing Regional Artistry

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