NEW YORK, NY.- The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) to benefit Henry Street Settlement, closed its 2016 edition yesterday with ADAA member exhibitors, collectors, and visitors alike voicing tremendous enthusiasm for the fair’s intimately scaled and thoughtfully curated presentations of art of the highest quality. Mounted annually at the Park Avenue Armory by the ADAA, a non-profit membership organization of art dealers from around the country, The Art Show 2016 once again fostered a distinct fair environment—inviting active conversations with gallerists and close-looking at works by artists from a variety of genres, practices, and national and international origins.
The longest-running art fair in the nation, The Art Show kicked off New York Arts Week with the annual Gala Preview on Tuesday, March 1, which welcomed over 2,750 guests, including major collectors, international art enthusiasts, and New York City philanthropists. The Art Show 2016 boasted one of the strongest years of attendance in the fair’s history, welcoming approximately 15,000 visitors throughout its five-day run. Together, proceeds from the Gala Preview and The Art Show raised a total of over $1.1 million for Henry Street Settlement, one of New York’s leading social service, arts, and health organizations. AXA Art Americas Corporation, a pioneering specialist in fine art and collectibles insurance space, returned for the fifth consecutive year as Lead Partner.
“The Art Show 2016 dynamically reflected the vision and values that define the ADAA and its members,” remarked Adam Sheffer, ADAA President and Partner and Sales Director of Cheim & Read. “As a fair organized by a community of art dealers from around the country, The Art Show fosters critical conversations both within the art world and between the art world and the public, strengthening the vital relationships that power our cultural community.”
Anthony Meier, Chair of The Art Show and Owner of Anthony Meier Fine Arts added, “This year’s presentations raised the bar yet again for the level of quality, nuance, and expertise demonstrated each year at The Art Show. Recognizing the fair’s distinctly intimate environment, this year’s exhibitors showcased a wide range of artists from Bob Thompson, to Gillian Wearing, to Monir Farmanfarmaian, in astounding depth, provoking new discoveries for collectors and the public.”
Collectors responded with ardent enthusiasm to The Art Show, with galleries boasting strong sales, as well as meaningful engagements with museum professionals and scholars, laying the groundwork to advance the study and exhibition of artists from around the world. 303 Gallery sold out its presentation of multimedia works by rising New York-based artist Nick Mauss; Tilton Gallery sold out its debut presentation of new sculptures by Chicago-based artist Simone Leigh; Lehmann Maupin sold nearly all of the works in its solo presentation of recent paintings by Hernan Bas; Salon 94 sold a number of rarely seen early works by Marilyn Minter; David Zwirner sold nearly all of its presentation of Sherrie Levine’s new knot paintings; and Anthony Meier Fine Arts sold a number of Jasmin Sian’s new cut-outs.
“The response to our solo presentation of new work by Hernan Bas, in particular his painted folded screen, was overwhelmingly positive. We saw many high-level collectors on the preview evening and sold out nearly the entire booth,” said David Maupin, of Lehmann Maupin.
“The Art Show provides an intimate and elegant setting to show rarely seen historic work by renowned artists like Marilyn Minter. There was a steady and enthusiastic—almost revelatory—dialogue with collectors, curators, and artists!" said Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Founder of Salon 94.
In addition to strong sales, The Art Show drew prominent museum professionals, curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts throughout the week, fostering important exposure and public engagement with artists from a diverse range of periods and backgrounds.
halley k harrisburg, Director of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery commented, “We are so thrilled to have exhibited works by early American Modernist Beauford Delaney at The Art Show this year. The caliber of institutional engagement with this show is unlike any other fair and it’s been an incredible platform in our efforts to advance scholarship and public appreciation of this artist’s vital body of work.”
Susan Dunne, President at Pace Gallery and Treasurer of the ADAA shared, “We had a tremendous amount of interest in the work of Lucas Samaras from every sector of the art world. While sales were good, it is great to see the excitement from collectors, museum directors and curators and visitors of all ages. Lucas has had a great impact on the art world and it has certainly been visible here.”
Thomas B. Parker, Associate Director of Hirschl & Adler Modern Gallery, remarked on its presentation of a performance-piece Tree Talk by Maria Elena Gonzalez: “The public attendance and engagement with Maria’s performance piece has been inspiring throughout the week. We’re thrilled to have been able to debut this work at The Art Show, which has been a powerful platform for new institutional interest in her work.”
Remarked Mary Sabbatino, Vice President and Partner of Galerie Lelong, “In complement to our exhibition of paintings by Chicago-based artist McArthur Binion, we were particularly happy to see a number of other presentations focused on artists whose work is not often explored in fair settings. The Art Show’s unique environment and ability to attract engaged visitors positions it as a key extension of our gallery program.”
