BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY.- The second annual
artMRKT Hamptons, founded by Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhause, closed on a high note this past Sunday, with exhibitors reporting steady sales and strong attendance throughout the weekend. The well-heeled Hamptons crowd strolled through the tent on the Bridgehampton Historical Society grounds -- some with canine pals in tow -- scooping up works ranging from sculpture to works on paper, to paintings and photography. Further proof that East Enders considered this a “must attend” event -- over 1500 collectors and art enthusiasts attended the preview night party and guest numbers topped 7000 in total for the weekend.
Throughout the weekend, notables including Musician/Actor Jon Bon Jovi, Actress Edie Falco, Marie Claire Fashion Editor and “Project Runway” Judge Nina Garcia, society figures Kathy and Richard Hilton and Bonnie Engelbardt Lautenberg, TV Reality Star and Interior Decorator Dina Manzo, Jewelry Designer Jennifer Miller, Broadway Producer Stewart Lane (“War Horse” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”) as well as Producer and Actress Bonnie Comley strolled the tent in search of their next art purchase.
According to Jay Lehman of Morgan Lehman Gallery, “The treatment gallerists receive is exceptional and is something that one typically expects only from the big fairs. Jeff and Max are ambitious and their efforts produce results. More people came through this year and they were serious collectors. The scale of the show made it easy for visitors to feel relaxed and focused.” Kevin Havelton of Aureus Contemporary said, “We sold out of most of our largest works and estimate that 80 percent of sales were to new clients.”
Local as well as international galleries reported successful outcomes with painting, photography and works on paper accounting for the bulk of sales throughout the weekend. Several large-scale items were sold at JHB Gallery, including two hand-cut paper works by Jaq Belcher and a John Noestheden silver crystal on paper piece. Sag Harbor gallerist Karen Boltax sold works by several artists including a Regina Scully canvas and a work on paper in addition to three works by Peter Opheim, Sylvia Hommert and Jackie Black. Italian gallery Arte Nova sold a large-scale photo by renowned photographer Massimo Vitali. Morgan Lehman reported sales of several works by Nancy Lorenz and photographer David Allee and, in addition, has several clients doing studio visits with painter Ryan Wallace as a result of their participation in the fair. New York gallerist Eli Klein reported strong sales and Nancy Margolis made several new clients and garnered a large-scale outdoor commission for artist Eva Hild as a result of her participation in artMRKT Hamptons.
Launched by Fishko and Wainhause in 2011 to create an intimate and thoughtfully-curated fair in the Hamptons, the 2012 edition featured 41 galleries -- up from 35 in its inaugural year --representing over 400 artists. Dealers and visitors complimented organizers for establishing a manageably sized show which was described as both “inviting” and “enjoyable.” As well, Terrie Sultan, director of the Parrish Museum commented, “the Fair looked wonderful -- there were very good galleries exhibiting a very high caliber selection of artworks.” She added, “Max and Jeff are doing all the right things and their enthusiasm for the Parrish and the East End community should be applauded.”
Sultan’s sentiments were echoed by the exhibitors who uniformly cited the support and enthusiasm of the artMRKT team. According to Peter of Peter Mendenhall Gallery, “The attentiveness of Max, Jeff and the rest of the team is unparalleled. They make it worthwhile to do art fairs.”
“This weekend’s event once again proved that there is a need and a great opportunity for a contemporary fair like artMRKT – one that is convenient, well curated and comfortable,” says Max Fishko of artMRKT. “We are very much looking forward to next year’s outing.”
