SAO PAULO.- The São Paulo International Art Fair presents an innovative mix of emerging and renowned local and international artists, represented by 124 prominent galleries, from Brazil and abroad. The Fair hosts Brazil's leading galleries with contemporary artworks and classic masterpieces from Brazil's modernist period. SP-Arte also announced the addition of young Brazilian galleries participating for the first time, some of which are Boiler, Frente, Mamute, Sé, and BFA (Boatos Fine Arts).

Notable international galleries continue to invest in Brazil's growing art scene, Lisson Gallery noted: "The past three editions of the fair have proven the existence of a young but solid market, supported by the rise of new collections with a more edgy and heterogenous profile of international artists." Other high-profile exhibitors include Cardi, Continua, David Zwirner, Michael Werner, neugerriemschneider, Stephen Friedman, and White Cube, among others.

São Paulo will be buzzing with a rich cultural program during the Fair week, beginning with the inauguration of Luciana Brito's new gallery space, openings at Nara Roesler of Antonio Dias and René Francisco, Beto Shwafaty and David Batchelor at Leme, and Erika Verzutti at the independent art space, Pivô. During the week, in addition to numerous gallery events, São Paulo's institutions will also be hosting special openings for the occasion, including Historias da Infancia at Masp and Paisagens na America at Pinacoteca. Finishing off the week, there will be openings at Fortes Vilaça, Mendes Wood DM, a special performance at Luisa Strina, and Vermelho will be unveiling their new screening room in addition to an artist installation by José Bechara at architect Lina Bo Bardi's personal modernist home, Casa de Vidro.

Talks
A series of talks themed with curators, artists, and collectors will take place on April 7 and 8, organized in collaboration with the Brazilian art magazine ARTE!Brasileiros.

New Design sector
SP-Arte/2016 introduces a new Design sector entirely dedicated to the country's leading furniture and lighting designers, featuring important names in Brazilian design, such as Lina Bo Bardi, Irmãos Campana, Carlos Motta, Hugo França, Oscar Niemeyer, Claudia Moreira Salles, Jorge Zalszupin, Joaquim Tenreiro to name but a few, as well as a selection of 23 exhibitors.

Performance sector
In partnership with Centro Universitário Belas Artes, the sector explores the role of the body in contemporary art. In its second edition, the performances this year were chosen via a selection process that was open to the public. SP-Arte received an incredible response to its call for applicants, which resulted in a selection of 10 performances to be held throughout the corridors and ramps of the Fair.