Auckland Art Fair 2011, the inaugural event at the new Viaduct Event Centre, was a focal point in the opening festivities for the Wynyard Quarter waterfront development. The largest and brightest fair to date opened on 3 August with a glittering Vernissage and a capacity crowd of 1100 guests and 10,000 art lovers from all over New Zealand and Australia took in the fair over 4 days.
Defying headlines and predictions of economic doom, the fair generated sales of over $2.5M for artists and businesses and gave a welcome boost to the visual arts community. A local exhibitor comments “The sense of community and collegiality was incredible and much needed after a few tough years in the trenches!”
“There was something for everyone at the fair, from collectors and curators to the adventurous and curious. The feedback on the event and the venue has been overwhelming - absolutely amazing” says Jennifer Buckley, Art Fair Director. “Our public programme highlights included hourly guided tours of the fair with some hand-picked local artists who offered visitors the inside track on some of the exhibits and artists and some lively discussions about the art world by local and international panellists gave visitors a chance to sit and reflect on their experience at the fair.”
Key note speaker, New York based Knight Landesman from the highly respected Art Forum says he loves New Zealand art, “you have a lot of good artists here, I’ve tuned into lots of fresh and original art”.
There was a range of exhibitors from veterans like Peter McLeavey, who opened his Wellington gallery in 1964, returning for his 3rd Auckland Art Fair - to the new generation gallerists like Melissa Loughnan at Utopian Slumps who made the trip over from Melbourne for the first time – and can’t wait to come back in 2013.
There was great support for the last man standing in Christchurch – Jonathan Smart – whose gallery participated with the assistance of the fair’s board and had a great time making some badly needed sales.
Auckland Art Fair is a biennial event and will be back in Auckland in 2013.
Visitor feedback – loved the new venue in Wynyard Quarter – the jewel in the crown of the Saturday opening
A few samples from comment forms “I went to the art fair and I...” :
“Checked out all the art and the new viaduct and had a great day out with the family”
“Realised how many amazing galleries are right on my doorstep!”
“Loved the atmosphere, loved the people, adored the art!”
“Inspired to get back into my studio and finish what I started”
“Was excited by the cutting edge work”
“It was awesome. Best art fair ever!”
From a local art group member: “ What a wonderful event the Art Fair was! Fabulous venue, beautifully organised and a really lovely atmosphere. Our art group came to the Vernissage and it was really fun. It was also great to see everything in the same place so I could start collating my thoughts and responses to the artist’s work. I had some great conversations with the dealers which reminded me of one of the goals you articulated to us about getting the general public talking direct to the dealers who know the artists so well. “
From exhibitors:
“Energising and exciting for myself and all of my artists”
“It was amazing to see the enormous audience for contemporary art in Auckland. Loved all the international visitors and their invaluable support!”
“The sense of community and collegiality was incredible and much needed after a few tough years in the trenches!”