LONDON.- Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, London’s original art and antiques fair, announced a strong line-up of exhibitors for its 2015 edition, including a significant number of core dealers returning to the fair following the announcement of new dates (18 - 28 June).

Bringing together 160 of the world’s leading specialist dealers, Olympia offers a more diverse variety of high quality, vetted art, antiques and collectors’ pieces than any other event in the British capital, with prices ranging from £100 to £1 million. Now in its 43rd year, the fair is known for its accessibility, catering to a broad range of buyers from the UK and abroad.

LEADING EXHIBITORS RETURN
The 2015 edition will see a notable increase in exhibitors returning to the fair after time away, including: Anthony Fell Antiques & Works of Art Ltd, Anthony James & Sons Ltd, Arts International, Freshfords Fine Antiques, J.M. Baptista, Moxhams Antiques, Pearse Lukies Antiques Limited, Wick Antiques and Woodham-Smith Ltd.

Thomas Woodham-Smith of Woodham-Smith Ltd, comments: “Having exhibited at fairs around the world, from Hong Kong to San Francisco, I have gravitated back home to Olympia where I used to show for many years. The laid-back atmosphere, the eclectic mix, the international exhibitors and visitors all combine to create a very buoyant and dynamic commercial environment.”

Olympia also announced the return of HALI after an interval of almost ten years. HALI, with its unmatched expertise and standing in the field, will bring together a group of internationally renowned dealers exhibiting the best antique carpets and textiles in a single location. Exhibitor participation is by invitation only and a full list of participants will be revealed in due course. A series of events curated by HALI will run concurrently with the fair, including visits to the V&A archives at the Clothworkers’ Centre, expert-led museum tours, unprecedented access to private collections, lectures and a book launch.

This year’s fair will also see many regular exhibitors returning to the fair, including: Alexandra Alfandary, Anthea A.G. Antiques, Austin Desmond, Charles Plante Fine Arts, Clive Loveless Primal Art, Craig Carrington, Galerie Arabesque, Gilden’s Arts Gallery, Hansord, Hatchwell Antiques, Haynes Fine Art of Broadway, Howard Walwyn Fine Antique Clocks, Jeroen Markies, Kinghams Art Pottery, Mary Cooke Antiques, Matthew Holder Antiques, Millington Adams, Moira Fine Jewellery, Morgan Strickland Decorative Arts, Patrick Sandberg Antiques, Robert Barley Antiques, Tanya Baxter Contemporary, Titus Omega, Walker Galleries, William Cook Marlborough Ltd, Willow Gallery and van Kranendonk Duffels.

The 2015 fair will take place in Olympia’s historic National Hall at the later dates of 18 - 28 June, coinciding with a host of important cultural events in London. This strategic date change consolidates the capital’s influential position as the hub of the global art world during late June and will open up the fair to a greater number of UK and international visitors.

A number of exhibitors have commented on the positive impact of the date change, including Ofer Gildor of Gilden’s Arts Gallery: “We are delighted to return to our 5th Olympia fair this year. Previous years have always proven to be successful for the gallery, with a wide range of collectors from different backgrounds looking to expand or start their collections. The fair’s new dates means that it now coincides with other sales and fairs, when many fine art collectors will be in London, and Olympia will undoubtedly be one of their key stops. We are also pleased that this year's fair will take place in the National Hall - an historic setting that will create an intimate, appealing environment for collectors.”

International exhibitor Manuel Castilho of Manuel Castilho Antiguidades added: “We look forward to the new location and date arrangements, as the National Hall will provide a closer environment for galleries and collectors to mix, and the dates now coincide with other key art world events happening at the same time. The antiques market is improving across Europe, and in June, London is the place to be. We like Olympia's atmosphere. It is a friendly, unpretentious fair which continues to go from strength-to-strength.”