Celebrating the season of sweaters and pumpkins with “Patron of the Arts: Fall!” A two-day art market located in Centris Elements, Quezon City, the event featured over 350 artists with an array of different prints, stickers, and anik-aniks. Starting with only one event back in 2023, Patron of the Arts (PotA) has risen in popularity in 2024 with their art markets becoming monthly. Its latest addition has brought warmth and whimsy to the spotlight. 

Their previous seasonal art markets included “PotA: Spring Beginnings” back in January and “PotA: Summer” in June. September continued the theme with “PotA: Fall,” concluding the four seasons with “PotA: Winter” this Dec. 14 to 15, 2024.

Step into the season of fall

Marketed as the “coziest art fair,” one pictures red leaves and a cool breeze when thinking of autumn. When asked about the theme, artists expressed their love for the season, despite the Philippines not experiencing fall. 

“Even if we don’t have an autumn season here in the Philippines, I like the essence of the season, which is the change that we see and all experience throughout our lives,” Ash, artist of The Sylvan Arcade, mentioned in an interview with The Benildean.

Her whimsical booth displayed her miniatures alongside clay creations, jewelry, and more. It was just one of the numerous tables decorated in a cozy manner, with some going the extra mile, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into the season itself. 

Beyond the booths, the art took the spotlight. Merchandise featuring PotA mascots in fall gear were given to early bird attendees and those who completed the stamp rally. Artists sold goods celebrating the theme, from pumpkin pie stickers to mushroom keychains being featured.

A welcoming art community

PotA may look like any other art convention at a first glance, but in a series of interviews, artists share what’s special about the art market. 

“It’s friendly for beginners kasi the process of getting in, I feel like everyone has an equal chance—hindi lang ‘yung mga veterans, it’s a very welcoming community,” Ash mentioned, as someone who’s joined PotA from the very beginning.

ID121 Multimedia Arts student Jade Maniquis shared the same sentiment. As an artist who’s been tabling at art fairs since 2018, he compared PotA to other conventions. “Their application process is very straightforward and very easy. It’s also very affordable for the price,” he also noted how consistent and well-organized their events have been.

Selling merchandise may be a big step for young artists, but PotA’s beginner-friendly space makes for a good starting point. 

As a closing remark, Maniquis invited fellow art students to take that leap. “I know a lot of people in Benilde who want to try boothing, and I say go for it, it’s a really fun experience because you meet a lot of artists and get to grow as an artist as well. PotA is a great place to start,” he said. 

The challenge of selling 

With more and more art markets popping up within Metro Manila, it’s inevitable for artists to experience burnout—and for student artist Cel, she pointed out the hardships of selling her work. 

“Here in PotA, your competition is the entire convention. You really have to stand out: your booth, your displays, your anik-aniks, mga ganun,” Cel mentioned, comparing art markets to regular conventions. She pointed out how events such as anime conventions have fewer artist booths—compare that to PotA, where the entire space is taken up by merchants.

Despite the struggles, there are lessons learned. Cel shared how the event challenged her as a seller, saying how, “PotA really pushes you to be somebody who stands out here, like an artist that attracts. Yung ‘di ka lang nago-offer ng kahit ano-ano.” 

For artists who turned their hobby into a business, it can be hard to find that balance of doing what you love as well as earning from it. It’s a journey that has its ups and downs, with different events and merchandise. 

Cel mentioned how, “Art brings a lot of comfort and warmth, and like it’s my go-to whenever I’m stressed—if I need to release some energy from my body, then I draw.” At the end of the day, art is a hobby and medium that acts as a warm blanket for many people.  

Art is something that people love. It’s seen in those moments where somebody finds their favorite character on a sticker, or when an artist takes a break from selling to just draw something for themselves. PotA’s tagline of “Empowering art creators and consumers” rings true, as artists find a way to earn from doing what they love and attendees walk away with their hauls.

Catch the next Patron of the Arts event at “PotA: Halloween,” coming this Oct. 5 to 6 at Centris Elements, Quezon City. Be sure to follow them on Facebook to stay updated on their monthly art markets.