The Glasgow Art Fair is firmly established as the place to view, buy and sell art in Scotland, and this year?s fair will feature 53 galleries from around the UK, writes Cristina Armstrong. Research from last year?s fair confirmed that it has significant artistic and economic impact for galleries, the creative industries, the city and beyond. At last year?s fair, each gallery sold upwards of 26 pieces, generating an average of over £16,000 per gallery.
Over the years, we have sought to increase artists?, galleries? and the public?s enjoyment of the fair. This year is no exception as we launch ?Spin?. It is a joint initiative by the Contemporary Art Society and the National Galleries of Scotland, which aims to nurture early and grass roots interest in new work by enhancing people?s initial experience of it. Visitors will be able to gain impartial advice, guidance and information on the interpretation, appreciation and collectability of contemporary art. This will be provided within a designated area designed to also act as a ?chill? space for discussion and reflection with comfortable seating and publications to read. In addition, visitors with a special interest in finding out more about supporting and buying new work will have the opportunity to become a member of Spin. It is hoped that this will provide a further way of offering visitors a practical route to year-round engagement with contemporary art. All this activity will be complemented by the wider remit of RAW: Real Art Week, which will include associated exhibitions, tours, talks and events across Glasgow?s many contemporary arts venues.
Another initiative that visitors to the fair have enjoyed for some years is the Talking Art series of talks and presentations. The talks ? three a day ? cover a range of issues from collecting contemporary art to the technicalities of framing works at home.
Last year we introduced a space specifically designated for emerging cutting-edge Scottish-based artists, known as ?Extension? and supported by the Scottish Arts Council. Last year seven subsidised organisations were offered free space to exhibit; this year, this offer will be extended to nine organisations representing about 50 artists.
We believe that the strength of the fair rests with the rich variety of artwork being produced in Scotland and the UK, and a refreshingly open-minded and enthusiastic art-buying public.
Cristina Armstrong is Event Manager for the Glasgow Art Fair, which takes place from April 15?18. t: 0141 552 6027;
e: cristina@uzevents.com;
w: http://www.glasgowartfair.com