Wednesday, January 28, 2009

International Artexpo Brings the Best in Affordable, Innovative and Sustainable Art to New York City

The world's leading art fair returns for its 31st year, Open to trade and consumers

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- International Artexpo New York (www.artexpos.com), the world's largest popular and fine art fair, announces its return to the Jacob Javits Center from Thursday, February 26 - Monday, March 2, 2009. Now in its 31st year, Artexpo New York will showcase exciting original artworks, prints, and the latest trends in the art world from more than 500 artists, galleries and publishers across the globe. Artwork includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, lithographs, photography, and posters ranging from $100 - $100,000. This year, the show expects to have more than 25,000 buyers, established dealers, collectors, designers, architects and art enthusiasts to walk the show floor.

Artexpo New York is the only art trade show to offer industry professionals access to thousands of works at wholesale prices. The first two days are open to trade only, starting February 26. Over the last three days, visitors from the general public can also buy straight from the source. For both consumers and trade buyers, acquiring artwork from Artexpo New York is the ideal solution to finding beautiful, affordable art in today's economy.

"We are excited to return to New York and host the show again this year. In today's economic climate, Artexpo New York is a great place to discover a variety of artwork at reasonable prices that will be the perfect addition to your home or office," said Eric Smith, Vice President of The Art Group of Summit Business Media.

New to the show this year is the The Global Green Artist Challenge - a call to action for artists to utilize art for the improvement of the planet through creating work with environmental themes, using eco-conscious materials, and maintaining safe earth friendly practices in their daily lives. Teaming up with renowned environmental artist and advocate Wyland, Artexpo New York will create several green events with exhibiting artists and the community to raise awareness of environmental issues in the art world.

The popular "SOLO" show will also return, with more than 250 of the worlds top emerging, independent artists exhibiting and selling their work in the hopes of being discovered as one of the next big names in the art world. Over its 30-year history, Artexpo New York has enjoyed the participation of many of the art world's most renowned artists, including Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Indiana, and Leroy Neiman.

In addition to an exciting showcase of international artwork, several new events have been planned for consumers and art industry insiders alike, including:

Artexpo Goes Green: The Global Green Artist Challenge

Wyland will be kicking-off the global green artist challenge with two youth-centered painting events:

THE YOUTH ART CONTEST

In partnership with NYC Department of Education and Materials for the Arts, a non-profit organization that provides arts materials to schools and community groups, twenty NYC public schools have been invited to take part in an environmental mural painting contest. Each school has been asked to paint the natural world as they see it, which can include any environmental subject such as animals, parks, lakes, and oceans. The winning class will be announced in early February and will participate in a live mural painting with Wyland at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27. All painting materials will be supplied by Fredrix Artist Canvas and Pearl Fine Art Supplies.

PAINTING WITH WYLAND & JANE SEYMOUR - FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Continuing the green challenge, at Artexpo on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m., Wyland and award-winning actress/painter Jane Seymour will host a FREE aquatic mural painting event for all children in the New York City area. Ms. Seymour is an environmental advocate who recently narrated the documentary, "Running Dry," which explored the world water crisis. Admission is free for children under 12 with a complementary adult ticket for each child that registers in advance. Families can register by visiting: www.artexpos.com.

Meet Actress/Painter Jane Seymour

Actress and painter Jane Seymour will debut artwork from her Open Hearts Collection. Jane Seymour will make a personal appearance, sign her new book, and exhibit a collection of recent paintings on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, February 29.

The SOLO show

The SOLO show is a special section of Artexpo dedicated to showcasing the work of more than 250 emerging independent artists. SOLO is the perfect place for up-and-coming, innovative artists to get their work into the art marketplace, and for galleries, who visit the show each year to find fresh talent.

The Artexpo Design Center

Through a partnership with ASID (The American Society of Interior Designers), visitors to the Artexpo Design Center can receive free interior design consultations on how to incorporate newly purchased art in their home, office or gallery.

The International Art Business Conference

The International Art Business Conference (IABC) will offer more than 20 lectures over three days, including:

Color Pulse 2010 - Sponsored by Benjamin Moore

Thursday, February 26, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Hosted by color expert Frances Mooney of Benjamin Moore this lecture discusses forecasting for the year ahead. For 2010, Color Pulse takes a new perspective on how Authenticity is translated through three distinctive influences.

The ART of TRENDS - How to Connect with What's Happening in Interiors Right Now

Thursday, February 26, 4:30 - 5:45 p.m.

Linda Blair, noted interior designer and two time past president of ASID New York Metro tells it like it is - a no-nonsense expose of exactly what art is being purchased, by whom and from where. In a frank and informative appraisal of art available today, Blair debunks the myths of "trends", the influence of the media and discusses her experiences locally and globally. Be prepared for a frank and informative talk and a down and dirty Q & A.

Origins of Color - Sponsored by Benjamin Moore

Friday, February 27, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

The world of color comes from the colors of the world. The story is as old as time itself; a link to our ancient ancestry. Used to communicate, color has conveyed wealth, status and success, and it also reflects the hopes, fears and desires captured in each era's collective psyche. Color has sparked wars, built trade, and raised and toppled economies. Worshipped, reviled sought after discarded, its relationship to humanity is as rich and complex as our relationships with one another. This is the story color and we begin at its origin.

How to Work with an Interior Designer - The Reality of a Successful Relationship

Friday, February 27, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Can you really make an interior designer a life-long client and ally? Are you put off by many designers? Find out what makes them tick and the way to forge a successful relationship. Learn how to get on the inside track and what you need to do to stay there. Join Interior Designer Judy Sheridan, ASID, CID, as she discusses the reality of what life is like on the designer's side.

To register in advance, visit www.artexpos.com.

Ticket Information:

Tickets for Artexpo can be purchased on-site at the Jacob Javits Center Box office. The show opens to trade only on Thursday, February 26 and Friday, February 27 from 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and will be open to the general public from Saturday, February 28 from 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1 from 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Monday, March 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The cost for an adult ticket is $15, for students under 18 and seniors it is $5, free for children under 12. For more information visit www.artexpos.com

About Artexpo New York:

Artexpo New York is produced by The Art Group of Summit Business Media, the leading worldwide producer of art shows and art-related trade publications, including Artexpo Las Vegas, Art Miami, Art Business News, DECOR and Volume. For more information visit www.artexpos.com