NEW YORK.- In 1988, art and antiques fair producer Sanford Smith noticed a trend, “Almost every gallery I visited had a closet full of works on paper; drawings, prints, watercolors…Works that could not compete with more expensive artworks for wall space.”

Inspired by this often overlooked art, Smith invited a selection of the finest international dealers to open their closets at Works on Paper--giving art on paper the spotlight for a weekend at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. When it began, no other show in the world covered such a range of material, and 21 years later, Works on Paper is still the finest show of its kind.

Over 70 galleries from around the world will bring together their finest drawings, prints, watercolors, photography, architectural renderings, illustrated books, and posters for exhibition and sale. Reflecting the show’s own evolution and the development of the art on paper market over the years, the material will span from old master to contemporary works.

Exhibitors: Many dealers return to Works on Paper this year, including: Hill-Stone (New York) with old master and modern prints and drawings; Peter Fetterman Gallery (Santa Monica, CA) with fine art photography; Jane Roberts Fine Arts (Paris) showing works on paper from the 19th and 20th centuries; Hirschl & Adler Galleries (New York) with American master works; Jean Paul Perrier • Fine Art Gallery (Barcelona) will bring artwork by Picasso, Mirò, Remedios Varò, Botero and others; Jerald Melberg Gallery (Charlotte, NC) featuring works by James Rosati; Babcock Galleries (New York) with a selection of American art of all periods; Sims Reed (London) highlighting a complete portfolio of ten etchings by Peter Doig; Mark J. Weinbaum Fine Posters and Prints (New York); William Weston Gallery (London) with 20th century European master prints; and Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts (New York) with American watercolors and drawings of the early twentieth century.

PREVIEW and the CITIZEN’S COMMITTEE for CHILDREN of NEW YORK: This array of first-rate exhibits will first open to the public at the benefit preview February 26 from 6pm to 9pm. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York. The CCC has just announced artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel as the Honorary Chair for this event. Preview tickets can be purchased at the door as well as online at www.cccnewyork.org. For more information, contact the CCC at 212.673.1800 x21.