With the rise of more art markets and pop culture conventions in large venues, artists and art enthusiasts have come to look for more intimate experiences that echo the spirit of the local art community. From gaining newfound friends and stumbling upon underrated artists, your local art market brings a treasure trove of experiences and stories worth discovering.
With events like Komiket, StickerConMNL, and CosplayPH conventions, art markets have been a staple alongside pop culture events. Unbeknownst to the common eye, local art markets have highlighted rising artists and craftsmen alike for the sole purpose of promoting and celebrating art and design itself.
Whether you’re from the north or south of Metro Manila, there are small pop-up markets art enthusiasts can attend and find hidden gems. Here are five local art markets and pop-ups you should look out for!
Puesto Manila
Puesto Manila is a creative event group focused on staging initiatives and events that promote arts and crafts. Their “Luneta Art Fair,” held in Rizal Park, believes in maximizing its historic space as a hub for art and creativity. Since then, the yearly event has been a space to showcase traditional art forms through paintings, photography prints and sculptures. Alongside booths, there are free workshops and demos on a variety of art mediums.
Luneta isn’t the only place to catch their events! Their “WE ART” pop-up events can be found in different areas of Manila. Featuring up-and-coming artists, this event showcases works ranging from the usual stickers and prints to crochet, candles, comics and zines. They also stage free workshops open to all skill levels. This includes polymer clay, bookmark making, notepad design and crochet, making more art mediums accessible no matter the skill level or budget people have.
Check out Puesto Manila on Facebook and Instagram to find their next events and other pop-ups.
Patron of the Arts
Patrons of the Arts (PotA) is an emerging art market that celebrated its one-year anniversary this 2024. Even if PotA is relatively new, it’s gradually growing into one of the major art fairs in Quezon City. With the admission fee of only 100 pesos, you’ll be transported into a world of overflowing creativity and talent.
Their tagline is being a platform for art creators and consumers. This can be seen in their most recent event titled “Patron of the Arts: Originals,” with the premise of artists not selling any fan art and only their original content such as original characters and stories. On the other hand, event-goers get the chance to receive freebies and giveaways, fostering an atmosphere of fun and excitement.
Their upcoming art market titled “Patron of the Arts: Hayop at Halaman” is happening on Aug. 17 to 18 at Centris Elements, Quezon City. This themed event brings about art that highlights the concepts of “fauna and flora.”
For more updates on PotA’s art markets, you can visit their Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
HUB: Make Lab
If you frequently visit the streets of Escolta, you may have passed by the First United Building which is home to HUB: Make Lab and their events. They’re a pioneering creative hub that is artist and maker-led which experiments in art, cultural programming, community activation, and creative sustainability. Additionally, they hold a series of art markets around revolving themes, engaging creative workshops, and talks for all kinds of creatives.
HUB: Make Lab-organized events often center around the tight-knit community of creatives that have supported the hub throughout the years. Over time, emerging creatives have approached HUB: Make Lab to get their start in the local art scene whether they’re an innovator or simply an artist who wants to share their works with the local community. They recently had their “Watchamacallit: A Local Creatives Market” and “Weekend Hub Club” events which promote local art and homemade crafts.
You can find HUB: Make Lab and their future events on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Wet Market
Often in collaboration with HUB: Make Lab, Wet Market is another pop-up art market organizer to look out for, especially, if you reside around the south of Metro Manila with some of their events held in Molito, Alabang, G-Studio, Alabang, and Odd Cafe, Makati. Additionally, they’re more intimate with their events, focusing on smaller venues, making the artist-to-customer experience close. Plus, their unique event themes such as “I Spy,” “Take a Seat,” and “Font Fiesta” make event-goers excited to come back for more.
As Wet Market provides opportunities for artists to sell and promote their merchandise at events, it also allows creatives to dive into the world of events and develop their skills. Whether you’re a graphic designer, photographer, content strategist, or event planner, you can certainly shoot your shot at volunteering for their pop-ups.
Catch the next pop-up of Wet Market by following their Instagram.
Better Living Through Xeroxography
For those more inclined to the art of zines, Better Living Through Xeroxography (BLTX) or mostly known as “BLTX” is the perfect event to go to.
BLTX is many things: an ongoing project, a small press expo, and an outreach program among others. There’s art that addresses community problems and there’s art made for art's sake, and both kinds share a space in BLTX.
Moreover, they have featured feminist, indigenous, and queer publications. Additionally, they’ve spotlighted forums and small press libraries. It reminds the community that art can be made outside the profit margin– that art fairs can be a hub for community and learning.
BLTX has brought its events to places such as Baguio, Bicol and Davao, a testament to making art more accessible and giving a voice to a diverse set of artists. Their most recent event, “Mga Buang ng Wika,” was held on Aug 4.
Keep an eye out for BLTX’s next events by following their Facebook and Instagram pages.
