Art aficionados and casual admirers alike have something to cheer about this spring as the internationally celebrated Affordable Art Fair is planting its easels in Austin. From May 16 through May 19, the Palmer Events Center will become an Aladdin's cave for contemporary art, a first-of-its-kind event for the city. With over 50 participating galleries from around the globe and a plethora of artworks tagged between $100 to $10,000, it's a chance to snag some original art without breaking the bank. According to a report by ATX today, visitors can expect to see a spectrum of paintings, sculptures, photography, and more.
The fair isn’t just a salesroom; it's a full-blown experience. The event promises to include educational workshops, panel discussions, and the kind of schmoozing with art experts that can turn even a novice into a connoisseur. Cori Teague, Director of Affordable Art Fair Austin, highlighted the city's vibrant cultural appetite. "When looking at which U.S. city would be the best fit for our first national location outside of New York City, Austin was at the top of our list," Teague told CraveDFW.
Aligning with Austin’s diverse artistic expression, the fair will spotlight works by Austin talents such as B. Shawn Cox and Adrian Armstrong, among others. From tech geeks looking for some chic office decor to families hunting for that perfect living room centerpiece, the fair is setting itself up as Austin’s art supermarket – but with the added value of direct dialogues with artists and gallerists. "Our goal is to create a relaxed and welcoming environment where attendees are encouraged to ask questions and take home an artwork that perfectly fits their personality and space," Cristina Salmastrelli, U.S. Regional Managing Director, said in a statement obtained by CraveDFW.
Since its inception in 1999, the Affordable Art Fair has toured the world's greatest cities, from New York to Sydney, racking up over 3.1 million visitors who just couldn't resist a good deal on art. This year, along with Austin, new fairs pop up in Brisbane and Berlin, as per ATX today. As Austin continues to establish itself in the contemporary art scene, the introduction of the Affordable Art Fair could very well be the annual headline act it's been waiting for.
