Fiac - Grand Palais by night. Photo: Courtesy Fiac

FIAC is off to the West Coast. Paris’ hallmark art fair, which is enjoying renewed popularity, will launch its inaugural LA edition in April 2015. It follows in the footsteps of Paris Photo LA, launched last year to critical acclaim.

Two heavyweights have been recruited to lead the operations. Gallery veteran Jill Silverman—a former partner at Thaddaeus Ropac, who has served as a director at the Lisson Gallery, John Gibson Gallery, and Barbara Mathes Gallery—has been appointed director of Fiac LA. She will work in close collaboration with fair director Jennifer Flay, largely credited for FIAC’s recent success.

Former CalArts president Robert Fitzpatrick will oversee FIAC and Paris Photo as director of development, assisting, according to the press release, with “exploring other opportunities.” Could this be only the beginning of a French charm offensive?

—Coline Milliard