February 9, 2009, West Palm Beach FL: Record-breaking attendance, stronger than expected sales and uniformly optimistic and enthusiastic dealers characterized the American International Fine Art Fair, ending its six-day schedule on February 8, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Defying an expected sense of recessionary gloom, good sales and robust attendance created a positive atmosphere throughout the fair as the 70 international dealers welcomed a record-breaking 3,400 people to the Vernissage, a benefit for the Norton Museum of Art. The fair welcomed back the museum’s involvement, which returned after a four-year hiatus.
Throughout the duration of the fair, which attracted a total attendance of 24,000, a broad range of participating dealers reported sales from $5,000 to $5,000,000.
Recently re-acquired by founders David and Lee Ann Lester, the fair’s elegance and stature returned as did the excitement and energy that was the hallmark of their earlier years when the show was originally held in spectacular temporary structures along the waterway. With the re-launch, the Lesters established a new model by combining elements of TEFAF Maastricht fair and Art Basel Miami. Like the Dutch fair, AIFAF is managed in close consultation with a core group of participating dealers. From Art Basel Miami, came the concept of adding a strong social component, comprised of VIP programs, receptions and private dinners to which dealers were encouraged to invite their important clients.
“Lee Ann and I, the dealers, the Norton Museum and the entire local community were pleased with the vast improved quality of the fair and the unexpectedly strong and favorable public response this year. It provides the foundation for making AIFAF one of the great fairs of the world each year,” said David Lester. “Next year, we look forward to adding several new major exciting components to the fair.”
During the fair, the Lesters organized three special evenings for the dealers and their clients. On Wednesday evening, a Dealers & Collectors Gala was staged at the exclusive Mar-A-Lago Club, the sweeping grand former residence of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Thursday evening, The Norton Museum was the venue for a private viewing of the Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams exhibitions followed by cocktails and dinner. The festive fair week ended with a tribute to three prominent South Florida museum directors: Christina Orr-Cahall of the Norton, John Blades of the Flagler and Myra Janco Daniels of the Naples Museum of Art, held at Flagler’s new glass Beaux Arts Pavilion housing Henry Flagler’s private dining car, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The Norton Museum’s Bal Des Arts on Saturday evening provided a spectacular weekending event for local supporters and visiting collectors.
Wilbur and Hilary Ross, Tom Quick, Mario Buatta and Pauline Pitt, served as co-chairs of the AIFAF Collectors & Connoisseurs Committee. Both Ross and Quick and hosted pre-fair events in New York and Palm Beach.
Among the prominent designers and collectors attending the fair were Scott Snyder, Brian McCarthy, Matthew Patrick Smyth, Betty Sherrill, Stephanie Seymour and Peter Brant, William Koch, Earl Mack, Stephen Schwarzmann, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Shirley, Iris and Carl Apfel, Michel Witmer, Nancy and Walter Racquet, Maura Benjamin, Maureen Donnell, Diana Wister, Robert Nederlander, Pat Cook, Gigi and Harry Benson.
The following is a partial listing of sales reported prior to the fair’s closing:
Adelson Galleries (New York)
Winfield’s Porch by Andrew Wyeth
ARITA Eduardo Cohen (Buenos Aires)
A Mexican shell and turtle inlaid enconchado sold to the Monterrey Museum of Historical Art
Artmosphere (Salzburg/London)
An Andy Warhol painting and two photographs of Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller
Berry-Hill (New York)
Chrysanthemum by William Glackman
Connaught Brown (London)
Jeune Femme Tricotant, 1947 by Moise Kisling
Derek Johns (London) Denholm Armor (Polo painting) French School (Black Moor)
Erik Thomsen (New York)
A pair of sconces by Tsuji Kako Hanging Scrolls Japanese silver
Hollis Taggart (New York)
2 Ellsworth Kelly paintings: Colored paper image VI (White Curve with Black 11), 1976, pri and Colored Paper Image VII (Yellow Curve with Gray), 1976
Gallery Thomas (Munich)
Janus, a Sculpture by Max Ernst, 100,000
Guarisco (Washington DC)
A Pastel painting of ballet daners by Louis Kronberg, a Palm Beach painter
Jacques Bailly (Paris)
5 Dufy paintings, from $55-$75,000
John Mitchell & Sons (London)
A still-life by Philippe Rouseau A portrait by Alfred Stevens
Macklowe Gallery (New York)
Tiffany chandelier, circa 1900
Mallett (London)
Psyche, a mirror and dressing scrren by Matali Crasset $44,000
Michael Goedhuis (New York/London)
China Hans Dynasty Bronze
M.S. Rau (New Orleans)
A Monet painting (seven figures)
MacConnal-Mason
“An A 4 Pacific Crossing the Fourth,” $200,000.
Royal Athena Galleries (New York)
An important Etruscan bronze
Simon Dickinson (London)
A Bonnard painting
Tai Gallery (Santa Fe)
A basket by Hayakawa shokosai V, a living national treasure A selection of Miniature sculptures
Terminus (Munich)
Painting sales totaled 3 million dollars
Waterhouse & Dodd (London)
A Matisse painting and 4 other paintings
Wieneroither & Kolbach (Vienna)
A Klimt drawing, entitled Adam and Eve
Whitford Fine Art (London)
Clive Barker, Large Homer Women with Ball by Caziel, 1948 Ouled Nail, by Jean Lurcat, 1925 You Make My Heart Sing, by David Spiller, 2005
For additional information on the American International Fine Art Fair, see www.aifaf.com
Contact: David or Lee Ann Lester
dlester@aifaf.comllester@aifaf.com
239-949-5411
Marilyn White 973-783-3649
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