Long-Time Local Show Producers Continue Successful Formula
(Southampton, NY – August 16, 2023) – The 2023 Hamptons Fine Art Fair was the 14th art fair that experienced Southampton based show producer Rick Friedman and team staged in the Hamptons – and, by far, its largest ever.
The 2023 edition set many Hamptons based art fair records. They include: the most art sales generated, largest registration and attendance, largest single purchase, best attended opening night, most exhibitors, most sponsors, and most active website viewership.
Originally beginning as ArtHamptons, this summer’s event marked the 30th art fair the team has successfully pioneered and produced across the nation – in strategic elite markets over the past 17 years. (Hamptons, Aspen, Houston, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Silicon Valley, Philadelphia, Jackson Hole).
Shortened Sunday Show Hours as Violent Tropical Storm Hit Long Island
While the final 3 hours of the fair on Sunday, July 16, unfortunately met with rare and extreme tropical storm weather conditions, (the worst flooding in 15 years), which forced a sudden early close – the fair still provided substantial 24.5 hours of exhibit time, which helped to establish many of these Hamptons’ art fair records.
Substantial Number of Transactions Recorded
Total art commerce generated is estimated at well over the $10 million mark, with many sizable sales still pending.
The reported lead sale was a dramatic 1958, oil and canvas portrait by Pablo Picasso, at New Orleans’ M.S. Rau, which sold for $5.5 million (ironically dated on Bastille Day, July 14). In the popular sculpture park, a 7 ft. Tony Rosenthal Alamo Cube sold for $250,000. Many galleries reported selling a half dozen or more pieces during the show hours.
Setting Attendance Records
Over 12,000 art loving Hamptonites pre-registered for the fair, of which 8,500 local residents proudly convened at the region’s only international art fair. Better weather conditions would have even augmented this substantial turnout.
The much anticipated July 13 Vernissage, which benefited Guild Hall, sold out, with capacity attendance, and filled the expansive parking lot.
The Largest Art Exhibit Ever, Featuring 150 Exhibitors From Around The World
Over the 4 days, the well-marketed art fair generated a steady stream of eager and affluent art enthusiasts. Our guests were exhilarated and impressed, examining eye-catching displays, presented by a record-setting 130 art galleries representing 14 countries, plus 20 exhibiting sponsors.
Leading Luxury Brands Provide Sponsorship
The fair’s lead participant, UBS, entertained their many clients in their own customer designed UBS Lounge, spanning the entire southern wing of the Luxury Pavilion. Other prominent Gold Sponsors include Weill-Cornell Medicine (125 years celebrated for excellence in medical education, scientific discovery and patient care), Yvel (wearable art jewelry), Luxury Bazaar (world class watches), The Related Group Miami (Rivage Bal Harbour and The Residences at Six Fisher Island), Heritage Auctions (the world’s largest collectible auctioneer), plus many other leading brands.
World-Class Themed Exhibits Spark Viewership
Over a dozen blue chip and alluring specially themed exhibits captured the attention and imagination of guests. They included: “Mostly Motherwell” presented by Michelman Fine Art, “Blue Chip Black Artists” presented by Bill Hodges Gallery, “Touring the Galaxy” with Abby Modell’s art glass, “The British are Coming” featuring an amazing display of David Hockey and Bridgette Riley, by Blond Contemporary, “The Hamptons Celebrates Picasso” from Shapero Modern, “Tribute to Norman Rockwell” (The original art of the covers from the Saturday Evening Post) curated by The Illustrated Gallery and “Collecting Contemporary Cuban Art” curated by Alex Rosenberg Fine Art, and other world class displays.
Prominent Artists Rising
While the fair is devoted to both brilliant emerging and blue chip masters, prominent 20th century big name artists appeared throughout the fair. For example, important works on display for immediate acquisition were by Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Alex Katz, Norman Lewis, Wilfredo Lam, George Condo, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Norman Rockwell, Pablo Picasso, Hentri Matisse, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, and many others… over 800 respected total artists were on display or online in virtual gallery booth exhibits.
Tea Dance Success
Friday’s charitable event – the Mid-Summer Bastille Day LGBTQ Tea Dance, with silent auction, on July 14, generated a substantial donation for the Edie Windsor and Thea Thayer Foundation. Their Executive Director, Judith Windsor, was elated with the results, as the first ever Tea Dance held at an art fair.
HOF Recognition for Five Distinguished Hamptons’ Artists
On Saturday, July 15, the fair held a well attended induction ceremony, saluting the 2023 Hamptons Artists Hall of Fame inductees: Fay Lansner, Cornelia Foss, John Ferren, sculptors Hans Van de Bovernkamp, and Tony Rosenthal. To help celebrate Rosenthal’s award, NYC lent its famed and now refurbished Astor Place Cube, the Alamo, to the entrance of the fair for 4 days, in an unprecedented loan. Many guests took advantage of this rare occasion, spinning the Cube and taking selfies. Celebrity photographer Patrick McMullin shot the fashionable opening night action.
A Row of Eye-Popping Three Dimensional Works
The fair’s outdoor SculptureHamptons presented 17 prominent pieces, led by the popular Rosenthal Astor Place Cube, plus dazzling pieces by Hans Van de Bovenkamp, Gino Miles, and at the entrance, two stunning Carole A. Feurman swimmers, welcoming guests, presented by Markowicz Fine Art.
Very Vigorous Website Activity
To date, well over 130,000 art enthusiasts viewed the HFAF website over the past 3 months, setting another record. Specific viewerships at gallery pages averaged 200 per gallery, with some reaching 400-500 views, which leads the way to ongoing and future art transactions.
The Show Producers Announce their 31st Art Fair, Coming in 2024
The Hamptons Fine Art Fair, now the annual Hamptons largest cultural event, proudly returns, July 10-14, 2024, as an expanded and thrilling 5-day event, coming to Southampton.
For more information, contact sales director Donna Thiele at donna@Show-Hamptons.com
