LONDON.- Over 80 of London’s leading contemporary art galleries are coming together this summer to launch a new annual three-day event, London Gallery Weekend, with the inaugural edition set for 4–6 June 2021.

A first for the UK capital, this democratic, peer-led initiative represents a future-facing art landscape which embraces the community and mutual support of a diverse London gallery network. Over a dynamic three-day public event, which is free to attend, LGW will host a rich public programme of discussions, studio visits, children's events, late openings and performances across the city, produced by participating galleries. A VIP programme of events designed for curators and collectors will run alongside.

This new art world event unites the galleries of the capital, which are zoned into three areas of London. LGW will promote a daily focus on a geographical area, starting with central London on Friday, followed by south London on Saturday and culminating on Sunday with galleries in the East End. Powered by London-based art technology company Artlogic, the LGW website will be the key information and navigation tool to enable visitors to map their visits across the city.

A grassroots initiative developed to harness the energy of the London gallery scene, LGW emerged as an idea over lockdown in London, during which time new connections were forged online between art dealers and gallerists united by common challenges presented by the pandemic. LGW is run by committees combining gallery representatives from east, central and south London, each bringing individual strengths in VIP relations, communications, finance and operations to benefit the wider network of the gallery landscape.

This first, city-wide celebration of contemporary art has been forged with the ambition to become firmly rooted in the European calendar, as an annually important event which draws collectors and international art lovers to London over the summer each year.

Jeremy Epstein, Co-Founder, Edel Assanti and a founder of London Gallery Weekend said: "It has been inspiring to see our community pool resources and expertise to create an annual moment of celebration of London's diverse gallery landscape. I am excited to see a programme of engaging exhibitions and events unfolding across the city that will speak to both a local and international audience, emphasising the cultural contribution of London's galleries."

Stefan Ratibor, Director, Gagosian, said: "We see this venture as an investment in the future of the London art market, and a celebration of the strong network of art galleries in the city. This can never be just about the short term and we are very excited to share in this new collaborative approach that has evolved among galleries in London, an international arts centre that continues to go from strength to strength."