Winter-Themed Event: Patron of the Arts 2024 at Elements at Centris, Quezon City

As a follow-up to the Halloween-themed art convention in October 2024, my sister and I attended the winter-themed Patron of the Arts at the same venue, Elements at Eton Centris in Quezon City.

Patron of the Arts: A Fun, Winter-Themed Event 

The winter-themed Patron of the Arts 2024 was a fun, 2-day event held on December 14-15.

To put it briefly, Patron of the Arts, as a niche community, aims to empower Filipino artists and serve as a platform for art creators and consumers alike. 

These art creators include, but aren't limited to -- 

• textile artists (crocheters and knitters) 
• digital artists 
• illustrators 
• graphic artists 
• publishers of comics and zines 

Consumers include, but aren't limited to -- 

• paper and stationery enthusiasts 
• patrons of fan art 
• collectors of art
• readers of comics and zines 
• those looking for unique gifts

Patron of the Arts: The Perks and Privileges

Upon arriving at the venue, there was already a fair number of art patrons outside the entrance. The organizers gave away a bottle of C2 wintermelon-flavored milk tea on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets to the winter-themed event are priced at Php100. Because of my person with disability (PWD) ID, I was able to gain free admission, so my sister only had to pay for herself. 

Patron of the Arts: How it Works 

After paying the admission fee, regular patrons are entitled to a free sticker sheet and 2 promo cards. 

The 1st promo card has graphics that act as an "artist trail," where consumers can ask artists from which they have bought merchandise to put a stamp. 

Upon completion of the artist trail, patrons and consumers are required to do other tasks in order to receive freebies like stickers, keychains, and a tote bag before leaving the venue. 

The 2nd promo card to which patrons are entitled is the Badge Brigade. 

There were a total of 7 artists that participated in Badge Brigade. Once a consumer buys at least Php100 worth of merchandise from all artists, he can claim a flaglet of pins worth Php700. 

Because I was allowed free entry as a person with disability, I wasn't given a free sticker sheet and artist trail promo card. Good thing I qualified for the Badge Brigade. 

A free bottle of
wintermelon-flavored
milk tea given at
the entrance

Patron of the Arts: A Means for Independent Artists and Makers to Promote Their Merchandise to Consumers

Even as a highly-niched event, every themed Patron of the Arts receives a warm welcome from a community of art enthusiasts.

To sum it up briefly, Patron of the Arts is a platform where independent artists and creators meet consumers. 

As independent freelancers, artists and creators promote their art online, through their own websites or online store, or through social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

Patron of the Arts: Where to Avail of Food and Refreshments

Patrons and consumers need not be afraid of going hungry, because food stalls have been set up at the venue. 

The Elements is also within walking distance of a wide array of diners, restaurants, and coffee shops, so patrons can take their pick.  

Patron of the Arts: The Highlights

As a winter-themed event, a few of the highlights of Patron of the Arts are: 

Pet-friendly

Each Patron of the Arts venue has long been marketed as pet-friendly, so patrons are free to tag their four-legged friends and furbabies along.

Games

Patron of the Arts is a 2-day, all-day event. In order to get consumers to interact and participate, they hold a series of exciting games after lunch, from which the winner gets to take home a prize, while the rest of the participants get to showcase their creativity. 

Patrons and consumers in creative, winter-themed costumes 

Some of the consumers attended in true art patron fashion -- decked from head to toe in their most creative and imaginative, winter-themed attire.

Artists as cosplayers 

Felt fulfilled after mingling
with a vibrant community
of artists and consumers

Some of the artists manning their booths and entertaining consumers were dressed as cosplayers, attracting positive attention.

Artists that incorporate marketing tactics to draw more consumers 

With some of the artists that have set up booths and kiosks at the winter-themed Patron of the Arts, the maxim "work hard, play hard" has never been more pronounced. 

One of the artists who was into dystopian, futuristic 3D art rendered on his art prints gladly elaborated on his inspirations, and even provided a QR code for scanning his art prints.

With another artist, I went through her display of postcards and art prints, and noticed that she had also placed a red coin bank on her table. 

Upon purchase of her products, consumers have the option to insert a 5-peso coin into her coin bank and choose a free postcard. 

Apparently, this was her way of improving her sales while getting rid of her surplus.

Freedom board

Nothing screams "Leave your mark" other than Patron of the Arts' Freedom Board. 

Three sheets of huge, sturdy, white card board and a container of felt-tip pens were laid out on a long table at the center of the venue. Consumers and patrons are free to doodle on the Freedom Board and leave messages.