The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Isabella Cuartero
Now in its fifth year, Gateway Art Fair remains true to its mission of making art accessible to people from all walks of life. It is only fitting that the fair takes place in Cubao, long regarded as “the center of the universe”—a meeting point for people coming from different directions, meeting halfway, and a place where you can find a ride to almost anywhere you need to go. In more ways than one, Cubao embodies the spirit of the fair itself: art that meets people where they are, and a space where everyone can find their way in.
The Gateway Art Fair provides a platform for more than 200 artists and art groups from across the country, the fair’s largest number of participants to date. Beyond the four-day event, it supports artists through year-round developmental programs and initiatives designed to foster growth and sustain their practices.
Presented by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), Gateway Gallery, and Araneta City, and co-presented by Metrobank in partnership with Megaworld, the Gateway Art Fair returns to Gateway Mall 2 this October. Held annually since 2022, the fair reflects JAAF’s core mission of opening gateways to opportunities and creating meaningful platforms for artists and the public to engage with art.
Beyond showcasing artworks, the Art Fair invites the public to engage with art through three days of free workshops, including mandala-making, collaborative drawing, soft sculpture, and relief and rubber cutting. From October 2 to 4, Gateway Mall 1 will host three days of talks and workshops led by participating artists and experts from the UP College of Fine Arts (UP CFA), including Prof. Toym Imao, who will lead a talk exploring the impact of AI on art education.
Visitors can also experience art through installations by local artists throughout Gateway Mall 2. These include Chris Lucas’ exploration of the struggles of commuting; Elias Pernecita Jr.’s work on art and sustainability; and Nina Chanco Libatique’s interactive, playful installation created with pets in mind. The installations are located on Levels 3 and 4 of Gateway Mall 2.
“By investing in capacity building and creative entrepreneurship, we aren’t just putting on an art fair — we are helping artists step through the threshold into sustainable careers,” said JAAF executive director Diane Romero.
“Art is for everyone. There is art open to everyone who walks in,” Hon. Mayor Joy Belmonte said. She believes that the Gateway Art Fair redefines what public spaces can do—creating room for beauty, imagination, and a deeper sense of national pride.
Admission to the Gateway Art Fair is free from October 1 to 4, 2026. It is located at Quantum Skyview, Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2.