Mixed Sales at Art Fairs

South Fork art dealers reported mixed results during and after last week’s two art fairs, Art Southampton and Market Art + Design. As might be expected, those who reported sales were more willing to speak for the record than the disappointed participants.

Sara Nightingale had a booth at Market Art + Design, formerly Art Market Hamptons, which relocated this summer to Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton. “Every booth was really well laid out and had good art,” she said. “The tent and architectural layout were beautiful, as was the water view.” She felt the size of the fair was manageable and intimate.

As of press time, she had sold works by Rossa Cole, Glenn Fischer, and Elizabeth Wadsworth, and expected to close on several other sales. “It was definitely worth it for the forging of new relationships and the art world gossip about upcoming fairs, artists, and dealers you need to know about to stay ahead of the curve.”

Scott Bluedorn of Neoteric Fine Art was also pleased about Market. “It was a very good fair this year. I was showing all East Hampton artists. Attendance was decent, despite the really nice weather that I’m sure kept a lot of people away, as well as the new location at Fairview Farm in Mecox. It was nice to be removed from the busy part of town where the fair had previously been, and it made the fair more of a destination. I was lucky to report some sales, as many neighboring galleries were somewhat disappointed. I will probably do the fair next year as well.”

One dealer, who preferred to remain anonymous, sold nothing at Market Art + Design and felt there were not enough people and not enough who wanted to spend money. Others who didn’t sell said they had a lot of “bebacks, folks who said they would be back” and made some good contacts. All agreed it was a beautiful fair.

Beth McNeill of the McNeill Art Group was enthusiastic about Art Southampton, which closed Monday. “The fair has been a great success. We sold work by regional artists Tapp Francke and Jeff Muhs, as well as work by New York-based Neil Powell and Adriana Carvalho from Miami. There was a steady flow of the right people actively seeking art, including art advisers, designers, private collectors, and museum professionals from our region and New York City.” 

Mark Borghi, whose eponymous gallery was also represented at Art Southampton, sold one piece in a booth devoted to Bernie Taupin but said the fair’s relocation to Nova’s Ark Project in Bridgehampton was a very positive move. “It’s the best place to have a fair,” he said.

Karyn Mannix had a booth at ArtHamptons, which ran from July 2 through July 5, and at Market Art + Design. She was more succinct. “I did very well at ArtHamptons,” she said.