Buy Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary, the north of England’s biggest art buying events, will return to Hardman Boulevard, Spinningfields, Manchester from 26 to 29 September this year.
Following its unparalleled success in 2012, Buy Art Fair, the UK’s biggest contemporary art fair outside London, celebrates its sixth year, while its sister show, The Manchester Contemporary, will mark its fifth anniversary showcasing world-class, critically engaged contemporary art.
Last year saw Buy Art Fair welcome almost 7,000 visitors over four days, up 43% on 2011, plus sales of original art at the Fair topped £400,000, an increase of 39%. Launched in 2008 and supported by Arts Council England, Buy Art Fair famously offers original work from a little as £50 up to £5000+ and has helped to create a new audience for art collectors in Manchester and across the UK, with many visitors purchasing art for the first time and beginning a collection as well as seasoned collectors.
More than 70 galleries from around the UK will exhibit at Buy Art Fair this year with over 500 artists represented at the free shows. Popular galleries such as Hepplestone Fine Art, Art Dog London and Atelier Rose and Gray will return to exhibit paintings, sculptures, photography and mixed media works to an expected audience of 7,500.
A tours programme hosted by curators from Manchester Art Galleries and Contemporary Art Society and will give visitors an in-depth look at works by selected artists and an opportunity to hear about their influences and professional journeys as well as highlighting ones to watch. Partnerships with Living Ventures’ new Spinningfields kitchen & bar, Artisan (opening this summer) and live music venue, Matt & Phred’s, will provide art fans with entertainment and food & drinks during the course of the event. In addition a children’s zone will be running at the show this year, offering young and young at heart a chance to get creative and produce their own masterpieces for the family wall.
Thom Hetherington, Buy Art Fair’s managing director, said: “Last year was a milestone in Buy Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary’s history with visitor numbers and art sales exceeding all expectations. Looking at the range of artists and galleries already signed up for 2013, I am confident that this will be our best fairs yet.
“Over the years, Buy Art Fair has brought original art and the idea of buying work and collecting pieces, to a new and broad audience as well as introducing emerging artists and galleries to existing Northern collectors. Our passion for accessing, appreciating and investing in original art has rubbed off and we’re seeing new collectors each year, as well as more established buyers and even curators from national institutions.
“With works starting from as little as £50 and going up to £5000+, we’re hoping the art buying bug continues to catch on and that we can, in turn, carry on supporting some of the UK’s most exciting galleries and talented artists.”
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