Art for Girding Your Loins at Galas and Fairs
Step-by-step art fair booth etiquette plus a poll!
Good morning! With one of the busiest months in the art world days away (honestly with gala season in full force, it feels like it’s started already?), this curated weekly selection of contemporary artworks feels essential. This newsletter is my version of stopping to smell the roses.
I am especially taken this week with the discovery of Crystalle Lacouture’s current show, which takes its cue from H.A. Rey’s 1952 book on constellations. The idea of making something vast feel portable and relatable is the right mindset going into fair season.
Below is suggested rhetoric to use on booth when wandering the fairs, and remember the pro tip to always check out the closet for those tucked away gems.
Walk up to the artwork on a booth that catches your eye
Spend time really looking at it and notice how it makes you feel
Take a photo of the artwork
Take a photo of the caption or the booth name. Please do not pull your phone out during art fair week and show me a painting with zero context and ask me if I know the artist. Actually please don’t do this to anyone. (This step is also great for tagging the artist AND gallery on socials).
Ask “Can you tell me more about this work?” or “Do you have any more examples by the artist?”
Inquire “Is it available?” and “What does it retail for?”
If the artworks are all sold or they say “the works have all been placed”, you can still ask “What was the price range?”
Leave your name and email if you want the gallery to follow up when the artist has new work available - or just text me. If you want help considering a work for your collection, ask the gallery to email you the details and forward them my way to discuss!
Reminder that I am moderating these four upcoming events if you want to ask collecting questions in person! Spring Place Panel on 5/5, Mystic Caviar x Anne Parke Art Salon on 5/6, ArtStack at People’s on 5/12, and NADA Collects at the fair on 5/16.
