New Art Fair in Southampton Finds Success

   Art Southampton, a new fair held on the Elks Club grounds in Southampton from July 26 to 30, did well in its first go-round, its organizers said, and they plan to return. The event drew 11,750 people, and galleries that participated reported strong sales, according to the organizers, who also put together Art Miami, a fair that occurs each December in Florida at the same time as Art Basel Miami.

    An opening night preview benefited Southampton Hospital. A movie about John Chamberlain was screened, and a talk benefited the Ross School’s Chamberlain-Fairweather Scholarship Fund. In addition, Robert Wilson launched the Watermill Center/Chamberlain Residency Grant Fund at the fair.

    A number of galleries reported significant sales, including the sale of a Gerhard Richter work for $1.5 million by Galerie Terminus of Munich. The gallery also sold a Chamberlain sculpture for $250,000 and two works by Dietrich Kling.

    Edelman Arts & Art Assure sold a painting by Doug Argue for $85,000. Works by Eric Fischl, including two bronze sculptures at $85,000 each, were sold by the Hexton Gallery of Chicago. The gallery also sold several of his watercolors. A number of other galleries said sales were good, according to a release.

    Participating galleries came from as near as Bridgehampton and as far as Europe. Many came from New York City. Other artists with work on display included Milton Avery, Ross Bleckner, Hans Hofmann, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, Louise Nevelson, Pablo Picasso, Larry Poons, Larry Rivers, Donald Sultan, Norman Bluhm, and Andy Warhol.