The 2010 edition of Art Palm Beach (APB) broke attendance records and left exhibitors in high spirits after its six-day run at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. This year marked the return of APB’s original founders and International Fine Art Exhibitions (IFAE) principals David and Lee Ann Lester to the fair, and reviews were positive across the board.
“This was an exceptional fair with exceptional attendance,” said Edward Neustadter, Sandra Neustadter Gallery (Delray Beach). “Fairgoers showed a great response to the artwork, which covered all the bases from great classics and modern masters to contemporary art.”
An estimated crowd of over 20,000 people attended APB, including a single-day record 6,000 during the fair’s opening preview night Thursday, which marked the largest art opening in Palm Beach history. Exhibitors were pleased by not only the numbers, but the quality of the fairgoers.
“The fair had phenomenal attendance with the right people turning out to acquire high-end artwork,” said Gregg Shienbaum, Verve Gallery (Ft Lauderdale). “Many bona-fide, experienced collectors who had purchased art before were on hand,” said Kurt Nelson, Palette Contemporary (Albuquerque).
Seasoned collectors weren’t the only ones buying artwork at APB. “It was exciting to see new collectors make purchases,” said Corey Hampson, Habatat Michigan.
Strong sales were reported by a number of dealers, with others expecting connections made at Art Palm Beach to lead to purchases down the road.
Fairgoers streamed in to find an extensive sampling of artwork by modern masters, contemporary artists, top photographers, noted sculptors and renowned glass artists at APB, with over 70 internationally renowned galleries exhibiting.
Highlights included the innovative, jungle-like installation “Risk” by Colombian conceptual artist Federico Uribe, a rare original drawing from Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “Surrounded Islands,” a book-signing and special exhibition by iconic fashion photographer Bruce Weber, and an enlightening lecture series featuring distinguished curators, artists and experts in the art world.
“Coming on the heels of the sensational debut of the Miami International Art Fair (MIA) the week before, the success of the revitalized Art Palm Beach continues to show interest in the art market is strong,” said David Lester. “We are very pleased our return to APB was so well-received by dealers and the community.”
Art Palm Beach also participated in the spirit of cultural philanthropy through “APB Shares,” a program through which daily proceeds from ticket and food sales at the fair are donated to four local community arts organizations: the Young Friends of the Norton, the Four Arts Contemporaries, the Armory Art Center and the Mordes Family Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. APB also partnered with the Young Friends of the Norton and the Four Arts Contemporaries for the special preview night January 14.
About IFAE
David and Lee Ann Lester, founders of International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE) have been the pioneers of the Florida art fair market, establishing Art Miami in January, 1991, The Palm Beach International Art & Antique Fair (now AIFAF) in 1997, and Art Palm Beach 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 (from 1991-2007) at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and entered into a joint venture with Clarion Events to serve as the partners and executive management of the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, now re-branded as the London International Fine Art Fair at Olympia. Most recently they have announced plans for the Naples International Art and Antique Fair. |