NEW YORK, NY.- The inaugural edition of Art Miami New York, a modern and contemporary art fair produced by the ownership team of Art Miami, came to a close on Sunday, May 17th, after premiering to a great response from galleries, collectors, visitors, and critics alike. From the first moments of the VIP Preview through the final hours of the last day, works were acquired or placed on hold by established and new private and corporate collectors, notable museum professionals, cultural foundation executives, dealers, art advisors, and consultants. The fair will return to Pier 94 May 12-15, 2016, under its newly branded name: Art New York presented by Art Miami.

With 100 international galleries representing nearly 1,200 artists from 50 countries, Art Miami New York complemented other art events taking place in the city during Frieze week and the Spring Auctions. The fair offered a strong mix of fresh secondary market works by top artists alongside previously unseen primary works by emergent to mid-career cutting-edge talent from leading galleries around the globe.

"While the visitors gave us rave reviews and complimented us on the overall design and layout of the fair, it was the superior aesthetic and artistic presentations by participating galleries that were the stars of the show, " said Katelijne De Backer, director of Art Miami New York. "Their extraordinary efforts did not stay unnoticed: collectors and curators visited steadily through the duration of the fair and sales stayed strong until the end of Sunday."

The first edition of Art Miami New York took place at Pier 94 with over 19,500 visitors throughout its duration, including more than 5,000 art world luminaries and members of the media attending the VIP preview on May 14th. Art enthusiasts lined up for early access and the first opportunity to acquire the works on view. A strong museum presence was seen daily at the fair, with board members, curators, directors, and upper level donors attending from MoMA, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, Cooper Hewitt, Jewish Museum, New Museum, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, International Center for Photography, Children's Museum of the Arts, Perez Art Museum Miami, ArtTable, Chrysler Museum, Buenos Aires Museum of Contemporary Art, Mana Contemporary, and others. Among notable VIP visitors were Alain Servais, Hubert Neumann, Olivier Fuller, Eileen Guggenheim, Terrie Sultan, Howard Rutkowski of Fortune Cookie Projects, Alexandra Fairweather, Asher Edelman, Sara Herbert Galloway, Barry Klarberg, Peter Haveles, Elizabeth Sobieski, David Kratz, Jerry Schatzberg, Alyson Cafiero, Michel Witmer, Cheryl Sokolow, Henri Kessler, Judy Auchincloss, Micha Lang, Nancy Corzine, Kara Cross, Morgan O'Connor, and many others.

GALLERY RESPONSE
Mitch Denowitz, Arcature Fine Art (Palm Beach)
"High quality dealers, a great layout, and impressive art work across the board. We're very happy with how well the show has been marketed."

Guido Maus, director of beta pictoris/Maus Contemporary (Birmingham, AL)
"Strong contacts with international collectors within the first 90 minutes of the VIP opening resulting in two sales from Travis Somerville Producer's Row and American Dream 3, with three more pending - two of them to new collectors."

Rudolf Budja, director of Rudolf Budja Gallery (Miami Beach, FL)
"I love the idea of Miami going to New York! I've been exhibiting with Art Miami since its inception. Here, I'm representing Miami, so I want to showcase the best I have. We sold a limited edition Warhol within a few hours. It's been great."

Kristen Accola and Kat Griefen, directors of Accola Griefen (New York)
"We're very impressed with Art Miami New York! The first day was very successful for us. The response to our program focusing on important women artists has been excellent. Great turnout and serious interest."

Jean-Yves Mesguich of Galerie LINZ (Paris)
"Art Miami New York stands out with its impeccable organization. The fair leadership is very hands-on; it's always on the floor interacting with exhibitors and visitors."

Cynthia Corbett, director of Cynthia Corbett Gallery (London)
"Art Miami New York is clearly a success! The venue is amazing and the feedback from both veteran collectors and new clients has been fantastic."

Notable sales included:
Hollis Taggart Galleries (New York) sold several works for mid-to- high six figures, including Jack Tworkov's Ulysses (1951). Cernuda Arte (Coral Gables, FL) sold multiple artworks, including the Wilfredo Lam painting The Opened Eyes (1972) with asking price $320,000, a sculpture by Manuel Mendive, Oshen (1989), and a painting by Dayron Gonzalez, Old Man 2, which were offered at $75,000 and $22,000 respectively. Mark Hachem (Paris) reported a completely sold-out booth, including three works by René Magritte offered at $75,000 and $50,000. Galerie Frank Pages (Geneva) reported multiple sales, including a piece by Stephan Chambers (offered at $121,000). Rudolf Budja Gallery (Miami Beach) sold multiple blue-chip secondary market works to repeat and new clients, including three pieces by Keith Haring, a limited edition felt banner by Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama's painting Fear of Death (2008). Tresart (Coral Gables) reported the sale of Tomas Sanchez's Desde La Collina, La Laguna (offered at $75,000). Masterworks Fine Art Gallery (Oakland, CA) noted the sales of two works by Picasso: a linocut Bacchanale au hibou (1959) and a ceramic piece Tauromachy Scene. C. Grimaldis Gallery (Baltimore, MD) noted the sales of Grace Hartigan's Ocean Bathers (offered at $130,000) and Chul Hyun Ahn Five Hexahedra, offered at $65,000. Nancy Hoffman Gallery (New York) reported the sales of seven artworks, among them some from Michele Pred and Viola Frey. Galerie Forsblom (Helsinki) sold works by Peter Halley, as well as two works by Donald Baechler at $25,000 each. Steffen Dam's The Owl Minerva Takes Flight in the Dusk (offered at $80,000) was sold by Heller Gallery (New York). Goya Contemporary Gallery (Baltimore, MD) reported a very successful fair with sales of multiple works to new clients, including an early painting by Louise Fishman and a sculpture by Wilhelm Mundt. Zemack Contemporary Art (Tel Aviv) sold Eran Shakine's Legs (offered at $70,000), as well as four works by Lee Yano (offered at $12,000 each). Cynthia Corbett Gallery (London) reported a sold out booth, including two paintings by Andrew Burgess made specifically for Art Miami New York, placed at $35,000 each. A lithograph by Picasso Jeune Femme au Corsage á Triangle (offered at $50,000) was sold by ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN (London). Jerry Schatzberg's Bob Dylan Musician Poet was sold at Nicola Rukaj Gallery (Toronto) for $27,000. Peter Blake Gallery (Laguna Beach) noted the sale of James Turrell's XXX C (offered at $80,000) to Buenos Aires Contemporary Art Museum. Other notable sales included two works by Elaine Sturtevant (Untitled 1959 and 1961), offered at $40,000 each from Mark Borghi Fine Art (New York-Palm Beach-Bridgehampton), fifteen pieces by Pascal Vochelet from 55Bellechasse (Paris), and two works by Rafael Barrios, Nimbus Fractal and Ascending nimbus from Art Nouveau Gallery (Miami, Maracaibo).

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Art Miami New York showcased an impressive array of innovative installations, programming, and exhibitions. Highlights from the shows included a curated exhibition "The Everywhere Exotic," presented by No Longer Empty (New York), a special exhibition of video works by Peter Sarkisian (MODERNISM INC., San Francisco), a unique collection of Banksy works at Keszler Gallery (New York), and an exhibition of works by past Fellows of the New York Academy of Art curated by Natalie Frank. ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN (London) hosted a sold-out book signing with the acclaimed photographer and stylist, Maripol. Collaborations with New York's art institutions included Kids Arts Center presented by Children's Museum of the Arts, which provided hands-on art programming on-site for children ages 4-14 and Art Fairy Guided Tours for adults and children. One Art Nation (1AN) Symposium brought together leading opinion leaders and industry experts speaking on a wide range of topics, from consulting an appraiser and artist spotlights, to panel discussions on contemporary art market trends and issues faced by collectors.