Whether you are just starting out on your art collecting journey or perhaps looking to add original art to your home, the art fair circuit can be daunting—with prices at times reaching six figures (or more) and an often-opaque buying process, it’s enough to discourage anyone. Affordable Art Fair, which returns to New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion this March 22 through 26, provides the perfect entry point to the art buying world. Though this year’s edition offers an expanded price range to reflect the market growth of its participating galleries and artists, with a price cap of $12,000, you can browse confidently knowing that costs are well below the stratospheric ranges of many other fairs.
For its 21st edition, over 70 galleries—from local to international—will come together to showcase an incredible range of art and artists. The Affordable Art Fair will also be hosting a full range of programming both to enhance the visitor experience as well as continue the fair’s mission to support and promote emerging artists and galleries. Those familiar with the fair can look forward to the private view opening on Wednesday evening, Art After Dark the following day, as well as Free Fridays—making planning your visit easy and convenient.
Khae “K” Haskell, Flourish/Corroded (2022). Courtesy of the artist and Affordable Art Fair.
The Young Talent Exhibition will also return, curated by Arts Gowanus Director Johnny Thornton, which highlights emerging artists from both New York City as well as the greater New York Metro Area. For the forthcoming edition, artist Khae “K” Haskell’s site-specific work Effloresce will be featured, complemented by a collection of collages that detail the stages and elements of the natural world. K’s work frequently references the oft-overlooked details of nature found in New York City—plants growing through sidewalk cracks, the form and texture of trees along city streets, the types of plants found in yards and parks. These operate as reference points for graphic drawings that create collections that they can draw from for their mixed media works and installations.
Piloted in the fall 2022 edition, the Affordable Art Fair’s Fellowship Program will also be presented and is primed to become another cornerstone of the fair’s programming. Supporting Brooklyn-based Established Gallery, the Fellowship is already gearing up to welcome a second and third gallery participant for the spring of next year. Also to look forward to this edition is the 6th annual Curatorial Excellence Award, highlighting the fair’s encouragement of dynamic, thought-provoking gallery presentations.
Affordable Art Fair New York. Photo: Reed Photographic.
For over two decades, Affordable Art Fair has been recognized as a bastion of accessibility for collectors and exhibitors alike, providing a platform that fosters dialogue and relationships, as well as support for new and emerging artists. In addition to featuring artist-run projects, digital art, and other new or experimental exhibition types, Affordable Art Fair is the perfect entry point for learning about and participating in buying art—for both the new and seasoned collector alike.
Affordable Art Fair will be open March 22–26, 2023, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18 St, New York.