This year the Santa Fe Gallery Association is exploring art fairs in an attempt to increase awareness of our art market and assess the importance of artist and gallery participation in art fairs in the United States and around the world. As our Artist Portal grows, and artists increasingly look to us for guidance, we have identified art fairs as a potentially beneficial endeavor for artists seeking gallery representation. We also recognize the importance of art fairs in the global art market and see participation by galleries as a possible area of growth.
Last month, we traveled to New York City to experience Artexpo New York at Pier 36 first hand. Fair producer, Redwood Art Group, presented some 200 exhibitors, representing hundreds of artists, from 27 countries. Booths of various sizes were curated and thoughtfully arranged to deliver an exceptional experience to the fair's 18,000+ visitors over the course of 4 days. Events arranged to focus collectors, media and other art market professionals on the art were underscored with amenities that allowed visitors to remain at the fair for extended periods.
Bookended by an earthquake and rare total solar eclipse, the fair did not disappoint. Taking place in a single room with an art-filled mezzanine presented by Jason Perez replete with a dj, bar and collection of booths featuring art and artists brought in from Miami, Florida the energy was high, the very air crackling with excitement. Multiple screens high above the show floor highlighted specific booths which added mightily to the flow of buyers through the fair. Of course, we are biased, but the screens playing our 12 minute, silent video (below) offering a virtual overview of Santa Fe was highly impactful as it beckoned watchers to contemplate a visit to the Land of Enchantment in search of an art experience like no other.
Next month, we travel to Switzerland to delve into the offerings at Art Basel. Additional art fairs on the docket for 2024 include, Santa Fe, New Mexico in July, San Diego, California and Red Dot in Miami, Florida later in the year. Watch this space as we keep you updated on our findings. In January of 2025, we will publish our statistical analysis of our 2024 findings and recommendations for 2025.
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