artMRKT Lives Up to Its Name

   After its second go-round on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society, the artMRKT fair announced steady sales and 7,000 visitors during its run from July 19 through 22.

   Max Fishko, who founded the fair with Jeffrey Wainhause in 2011, said in a release that this year’s event “once again proved that there is a need and a great opportunity for a contemporary fair like artMRKT.” He also let it be known that the pair would be planning another one for next year.

   The fair enticed some notable attendees, including Jon Bon Jovi, Edie Falco, and Nina Garcia. Some dealers, like Kevin Havelton of Aureus Contemporary, reported selling out of their largest works.

   Karen Boltax of Shelter Island sold a Regina Scully canvas and a work on paper in addition to works by Peter Opheim, Sylvia Hommert, and Jackie Black. Arte Nova, an Italian gallery, sold a large-scale photo by the renowned photographer Massimo Vitali. Morgan Lehman reported sales of several works by Nancy Lorenz and David Allee, a photographer, and as a result of participating has several clients doing studio visits with Ryan Wallace, a painter.

Forty-one galleries took part this year, an increase over last year’s 35. The founders produce four fairs around the country each year, the others in Houston, Miami, and San Francisco.