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Today, International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE) principals, David and Lee Ann Lester, announced that the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) will take place in Palm Beach on February 3-8, 2010 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. AIFAF, recognized by The Art Newspaper as America’s only 5-star art and antiques fair, will continue its tradition of bringing together an exceptional array of fully vetted art, antiques and jewelry exhibitors.
The elegant Vernissage and preview reception, which benefits The Norton Museum of Art, takes place at the fair on February 2.
“We are delighted that AIFAF has been recognized in a similar category as the prestigious fairs in Maastricht and Basel,” said David Lester “To continue on this success, we are bringing back major international art dealers, respected museum curators and scholars to Palm Beach, while also introducing new exhibitors, an innovative design layout and enhanced fair amenities,”.
More than eighty prominent exhibitors from more than thirteen countries will display artwork from all periods and disciplines.
AIFAF is pleased to welcome the following new exhibitors: Avery Galleries, American paintings (Bryn Mawr); Cernuda Arte, Cuban paintings (Coral Gables); French Country Living, 18th and 19th century period furniture (London/Mougins); Galerie Koch, 20th century German and international art (Hannover); John Atzbach, Faberge specialist (Redmond); Koopman Rare Art, silver specialist (London); Origines, architectural antiques (Paris); Rehs Galleries, Inc., 19th and early 20th century European works of art (New York); Robert Hall, snuff bottle specialist (London); Scavia, haute couture jewelry (Milan); Tomasso Brothers, European sculpture (Leeds); and William Cook Antiques, fine furniture (Berkshire).
Returning to the fold are: Antique Enamel Company, antique English and Continental enamels (London); Hancocks, antique jewelry (London); Heinley Fine Art, 19th century French paintings (Boston); Lawrence Steigrad Fine Arts, Old Master paintings, drawings and British portraits (New York); Salis & Vertes, 20th century Master Paintings (Zurich); and Somlo Antiques, antique pocket watches and vintage wristwatches (London).
Among the dealers returning to AIFAF include: Adelson Galleries, American art (New York); Arcature Fine Art, 19th, 20th, and 21st century European and American paintings, drawings, and sculpture (Palm Beach); Carlton Hobbs, 17th, 18th and 19th century British and Continental furniture (New York); Derek Johns, Old Master paintings, (London); Dickinson, classic and modern paintings (Paris/Berlin/London/New York); Galerie Terminus, sculpture and paintings (Munich); Galerie Thomas, German Expressionism, Classic Modernism, and contemporary art (Munich); Goedhuis Contemporary, Chinese contemporary art (New York); Hollis Taggart, American art of the 19th and 20th centuries (New York); John Mitchell & Sons, 19th century Continental, English and Old Master paintings (London); MacConnal-Mason, English and European 19th century and 20th century paintings (London); Macklowe, Art Nouveau antiques (New York); Mallet, English and Continental furniture (London/New York); Messum's, 18th, 19th and 20th century British art (London); Peter Finer, antique Arms & Armour (London); Richard Green, fine paintings spanning 17th century Masters to 20th century British art (London); Silver Fund, Georg Jensen and 20th century silver (London); Trinity House, 19th century to 20th century British and European paintings (Worcestershire); Waterhouse & Dodd, 19th and 20th century paintings (London); and Whitford Fine Art, 20th century British and European paintings and sculpture (London).
Period and haute couture jewelry continues to be an attraction at AIFAF with Buccellati, David Morris, Gioia, Graff, Richters, Sabbadini, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Veronique Bamps all participating.
This year, the AIFAF catalogue will feature 20 prominent interior designers whose work best illustrates how they incorporate fine art and antiques into their clients' 21st century interiors.
AIFAF is pleased to introduce a new design layout. The new floor plan will disperse crowds throughout the fair, and ultimately draw crowds to the Center Court where a deluxe bar will serve caviar, smoked salmon, oysters and champagne. The fair will also introduce a new VIP lounge, a redesigned formal restaurant that offers a menu featuring a variety of gourmet selections served on fine china, a new café and sushi bar.
To further enhance the ambiance, sculptural installations will be found throughout the fair, including a new outdoor sculpture garden, featuring the largest U.S. exhibition of Tony Cragg installation works from Galerie Terminus of Munich. AIFAF’s entryway will boast a stone architectural installation, embellished by floral elements and a reflecting pond designed by new exhibitor, Origines of Paris.
Fair organizers, David and Lee Ann Lester will continue last year’s successful format with a full schedule of daily activities to coincide with the exhibitions. These activities include informative lectures from highly respected museum curators and art experts, as well as cocktail parties. For the program schedule please visit: http://www.aifaf.com/detailed_schedule.
“Last year, despite the economic gloom, AIFAF had a record breaking attendance of 24,000 and dealers reported sales as high as five million dollars. This year we are thrilled to once again provide our dealers a unique opportunity to exhibit their collections,” said David Lester.
General admission fees to AIFAF range from $25 for a one day pass, $35 for a multi-day pass or $45 and $55 respectively with a catalogue. For more details on fair activities and to view the most updated list of exhibitors, please visit the AIFAF Web site at www.aifaf.com or phone fair organizers at (239) 949-5411.
About AIFAF
The American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) from February 3–7, 2010, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, is recognized as the “crown jewel” of American art fairs and is the only American art and antiques fair rated 5 stars by The Art Newspaper. AIFAF is a fully vetted fair featuring prestigious international dealers presenting paintings, sculpture, jewelry, antiques, contemporary design and decorative arts.
About IFAE
David and Lee Ann Lester, owners of International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE) have been the pioneers of the Florida market, establishing Art Miami in January, 1991, The Palm Beach International Art & Antique Fair (now AIFAF) in 1997, and Artpalmbeach in 1998.
In 2009, the Lesters resumed control of the two Palm Beach fairs, acquired the historically favorable January dates formerly occupied by Art Miami for 16 years at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and entered a joint venture with Clarion Events to serve as the directors of the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, now re-branded as the London International Fine Art Fair at Olympia, June 4-13, 2010.
David Lester
dlester@ifae.com
239.949.5411
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