Melo Villareal
The 9th Ortigas Art Festival returns with its biggest and most immersive edition yet, transforming GH Mall into a vibrant hub of creativity from July 17 to 30, 2026. Open to the public free of charge, this highly anticipated annual event invites visitors to experience a multidisciplinary celebration of Filipino artistry through contemporary visual arts, independent films, live performances, interactive workshops, and cultural exhibitions.
Ortigas Art Festival
Over the past nine years, the Ortigas Art Festival has grown into one of Metro Manila’s most celebrated and accessible art events, making creativity available to everyone regardless of age or artistic background. This year’s theme, “Elevate,” reflects not only the festival’s remarkable journey but also its continuing mission to inspire audiences, nurture artists, and redefine how art can be experienced beyond the traditional gallery setting.
Elevating Art Beyond Gallery Walls
Since its inception, the Ortigas Art Festival has championed “Art for All,” bringing world-class artistic experiences into everyday public spaces. In 2026, the festival expands this vision by offering visitors a rich, multisensory journey in which paintings, sculptures, installations, music, cinema, dance, and hands-on creative experiences converge at the heart of GH Mall.
Instead of simply viewing artworks, guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in a dynamic environment where creativity comes alive through every corner of the venue. From large-scale installations and thought-provoking exhibitions to live artistic performances, the festival demonstrates that art can flourish in places where communities naturally gather.
Honoring Two National Artists
Among the festival’s most anticipated highlights are special exhibitions dedicated to two of the country’s most influential cultural icons.
Celebrating the literary legacy of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, the exhibition, presented in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Press, showcases the celebrated writer’s enduring contributions to the Filipino language, literature, and cultural identity.
Meanwhile, theater enthusiasts can explore the extraordinary career of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal through a special exhibition mounted in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Widely regarded as the father of modern Philippine theater design, Bernal’s groundbreaking work continues to inspire generations of designers and performing artists.
These exhibitions offer visitors a rare opportunity to appreciate the lives and achievements of two National Artists whose influence continues to shape Philippine arts and culture.
“Elevate” Inspires Artists and Audiences Alike
According to Renato “Ato” Habulan, Lead Curator of the Ortigas Art Festival, this year’s theme serves both as a celebration and a challenge.
“Elevate” recognizes the festival’s remarkable growth over the last nine years while encouraging artists and audiences to push creative boundaries, embrace new perspectives, and discover innovative ways to experience art in an accessible community space.
The festival’s opening ceremony reflected this vision through memorable live performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet, complemented by energetic dance showcases that transformed the mall into a lively cultural venue filled with music, movement, and artistic expression.
Spotlight on Junyee and Filipino Contemporary Artists
This year’s featured artist is acclaimed environmental sculptor Junyee, widely recognized as the Father of Philippine Installation Art.
Known for creating monumental artworks using natural materials such as bamboo, wood, leaves, and other organic elements, Junyee has spent decades redefining the relationship between nature and artistic expression. His installations blur the boundaries between sculpture, landscape, and environmental advocacy, making him one of the country’s most respected contemporary artists.
His featured exhibition embodies the innovative spirit that the Ortigas Art Festival seeks to celebrate—art that is immersive, meaningful, and deeply rooted in Filipino identity.
Diverse Galleries Showcase Emerging and Established Talent
Visitors will also discover an impressive lineup of participating galleries, artist collectives, and cultural organizations showcasing contemporary Filipino creativity from across the country.
Featured exhibitors include:
- Agos Studio’s special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kaisahan
- Eskinita Art Gallery
- Linangan Art Residency
- Thombayan Art Space
- Art Circle Gallery
- Historia Art Gallery
- Nami Art Gallery
- Collective Artists of Angono
- Mindoro Artists Group
- Pasig Art Club
- Ortigas Foundation
- Various artist-run initiatives
Photography enthusiasts can also explore Born in Film’s captivating exhibition featuring nostalgic and contemporary photographs that capture the beauty, diversity, and evolving stories of communities across the Philippines.
Together, these exhibitions showcase the incredible breadth of Filipino artistic talent—from seasoned masters to promising emerging voices.
Cinema Takes Center Stage
Expanding beyond visual arts, the 9th Ortigas Art Festival offers an impressive film program developed in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Visitors can enjoy nightly screenings of acclaimed independent Filipino films, documentaries, and award-winning short films that explore diverse themes, cultures, and contemporary issues.
Among the featured screenings are:
- Cinemartrys
- Alipato at Muog
- Selections from Lakbay Sine
- Award-winning entries from Gawad Alternatibo
- Selected films from Cinemalaya
The documentary That We May See, directed by Paul Morales, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Kaisahan while revisiting its enduring influence on Philippine art history. Works by acclaimed filmmaker Sari Dalena further enrich the festival’s cinematic offerings.
Emerging filmmakers are likewise represented through notable short films including I’m The Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idoma (2025) and Pastil: Parehas Ra Ta’g Kan-on’g Ginakaon by Andrei Francis “Franky” C. Arrocena (2025), among many others.
The diverse film lineup encourages meaningful conversations about Filipino identity, creativity, and social realities through the powerful medium of cinema.
Hands-On Workshops Encourage Everyone to Create
One of the defining features of the Ortigas Art Festival is its commitment to making art interactive and accessible.
Throughout the festival, visitors can participate in a wide variety of free workshops designed for beginners and experienced creatives alike.
Workshop topics include:
- Acrylic pouring
- Block printing
- Textured plaster art
- Paper cutting
- Sketching
- Storytelling
- Copyright masterclasses conducted by Born in Film
These sessions encourage participants to move beyond simply appreciating art by creating their own works under the guidance of experienced artists and educators.
Whether someone is picking up a paintbrush for the first time or exploring a new artistic medium, the workshops provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for creative exploration.
Introducing the Ortigas Art Grant
The festival also marks the launch of the inaugural Ortigas Art Grant, a new artist development initiative that supports participating artists beyond the annual exhibition.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to produce new works for presentation during the 2027 festival, with the winning grantee receiving official recognition as part of the Ortigas Art Festival’s landmark 10th anniversary celebration.
The program also offers valuable international exposure through an opportunity connected to Art Basel Hong Kong 2027, providing emerging Filipino artists with a platform to showcase their talents on the global stage.
The initiative reflects the festival’s long-term commitment to nurturing local artistic communities while creating meaningful opportunities for career development.
Continuing the Vision of “Art for All”
More than an annual exhibition, the Ortigas Art Festival has evolved into a vibrant cultural movement that welcomes everyone—from families spending the day at the mall and students discovering independent Filipino cinema to aspiring photographers, collectors, and lifelong art enthusiasts.
Its enduring philosophy of “Art for All” continues to remove barriers between artists and audiences by proving that meaningful cultural experiences can thrive in everyday public spaces.
After nine successful editions, the festival stands as a testament to the power of creativity to inspire curiosity, foster community, and encourage lifelong appreciation for the arts. Visitors may arrive expecting a typical mall experience, but they leave having encountered stories, performances, ideas, and artworks that challenge perspectives and celebrate the richness of Filipino culture.
For the latest workshop schedules, featured exhibitions, and festival announcements, visitors are encouraged to follow the Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook. Updates on upcoming events and activities at GH Mall and other Ortigas Malls destinations are also available through the Ortigas Malls Viber Community and the GH Mall Facebook page.
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