NEW YORK.- The AAF Contemporary Art Fair New York (AAF NYC) announced today that its third New York Fair, which concluded on October 31, was its most successful so far. This year’s Fair returned with a new name (formerly the Affordable Art Fair), style and continued commitment to both novice and established art collectors with all artwork offered under $5,000. More than 130 national and international galleries exhibited with a notable change in the diversity and quality of work on view. Approximately 13,000 people attended AAF NYC, reaffirming AAF¹s position as a relaxed and easygoing platform for collecting original works of contemporary art. Over the course of the Fair, sales totaled more than $3 million. Traditionally, 1 in 3 visitors buys an artwork at AAF NYC, a rate higher than the average art fair statistics of 1 in 10. This year¹s series of lecture panels on art and design, entering the art world, and collecting art also attracted enthusiastic crowds.

On Wednesday, October 27, a Private Preview Party to benefit Columbia University¹s School of the Arts Agnes Martin Fellowship Fund was held. The Preview was an outstanding success with over 1,500 people attending, a marked increase from last year¹s 1,000 guests. The majority of exhibitors also reported a rise in sales during this Private Preview.

The continued success of AAF NYC creates an excellent precedent for the recently launched, upcoming AAF Contemporary Art Fair San Francisco. The new Fair will take place at Fort Mason Center, June 23-26, 2005. While the final selection of galleries for the San Francisco Fair has not been completed, many exhibitors from the New York Fair will participate in June.