ATHENS.- Following the widely acclaimed success of the 15th edition of ART-ATHINA last May (which showcased the work of more than 300 artists represented by 58 galleries from 12 countries and attracted 12,000 visitors), the International Contemporary Art Fair of Athens is back with its 16th edition, which will take place on 13 - 16 May 2010.

The application form submission procedure for 2010 has already started and the galleries can apply online the latest by 10 January 2010 via the redesigned website.

ART-ATHINA 2010 will take place again in the Faliro Pavilion, a beautiful seafront venue in a marina close to Athens city centre, which was transformed last year into a sparkling islet of art for four days leaving all visitors and participants with the best impressions. The internationally acclaimed fair was established in 1993 by the Hellenic Art Galleries Association with a view to showcase selected art galleries from Greece and all over the world, as well as to organise a parallel programme of important art events.

ART-ATHINA has witnessed a burgeoning growth in the number of art collectors, art dealers, curators, artists, critics and other art enthusiasts from around the world visiting the event, establishing Athens' reputation as a vigorous, vibrant art scene.

The IKT (International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art) Congress 2010 will take place in Athens on the same dates as ART-ATHINA.

'I found the fair to be incredibly well laid out, with the best possible mix of artists I already knew along with new discoveries from Greece, just what you want from a fair. It was a fascinating experience, and there is so much more to the Athens art scene than I imagined', said Cathryn Drake, Artforum magazine editor