The Hesketh Henry Art Fair Vernissage, the opening event for Auckland Art Fair 09, takes place on Thursday 30 April. Art Fair director Jennifer Buckley promises it will have “all the glamour and sophistication one would expect of such an event, as well as few surprises”.

Vernissage is a French word that refers to the final flourishes made to a painting before public viewing. The word has evolved into a term used to denote the opening night of a significant art event and the Hesketh Henry Art Fair Vernissage is just that.

The black tie extravaganza, hosted by New Zealand’s Got Talent judge Paul Ellis, features entertainment, wine and food, but more importantly, it offers the first opportunity to view (and purchase from) more than 600 of the most sought-after contemporary artworks in Australasia before the Fair opens to the public.

The Vernissage also marks the official launch of the collectable catalogue ‘New Art Now’, published by Random House. The book features guest essays by leading arts commentators and is exclusive to Auckland Art Fair 09.

Attended by local dignitaries, celebrities, gallery owners, artists and special guests including prominent economist and art commentator Don Thompson, the Vernissage is set to become the highlight of the Auckland social calendar.

Auckland Art Fair 2009 takes place from 1-3 May at the Marine Events Centre, Viaduct Harbour with 40 of New Zealand and Australia’s leading galleries showing works by the most exciting contemporary artists from both sides of the Tasman including Judy Millar, Shane Cotton, Len Lye, Liz Maw, Peter Robinson, John Reynolds, WD Hammond, Patricia Piccinini, Daniel Von Sturmer and Bill Henson.

The event also features a keynote speech by Don Thompson on Friday 1 May, twice daily public lectures by local and international speakers, a specially commissioned installation by an exciting emerging artist and an enhanced sculpture court.

 Artists to be featured in Auckland Art Fair 09 include:

Colin McCahon • Laurence Aberhart • Gregor Kregar • Jeff Thompson • Ann Robinson • Judy Millar • Shane Cotton • John Pule • Gavin Hipkins • Andrew McLeod • Stephen Bambury • Callum Innes • Tony Oursler • Saskia Leek • Anne Noble • Simon Denny • Richard Lewer • WD Hammond • Yvonne Todd • Max Gimblett • Paul Dibble • John Reynolds • Peter Robinson • Yuk King Tan • Pae White • Bill Culbert • Wayne Youle • Joe Sheehan • Brett Graham • Fatu Feu’u • Nigel Brown • Jim Cooper • Daniel von Sturmer • Louise Weaver • Ronnie Van Hout • Ricky Swallow • Linde Ivemey • Tim Maguire • Angela Brennan • Ken Whisson • Tracey Moffatt • Bill Henson • Fiona Hall • David Rosetzky • Patricia Piccinini