Santa Fe Weather
SOFA West Art Fair Debuts in Santa Fe June 11-14, 2009
Mark Lyman, Founder/Director of the International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs in Chicago and New York, announced a new edition of SOFA to be launched June 11 - 14, 2009 in Santa Fe, NM, the first city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO Creative City, as well as one of Travel + Leisure's 2008 World's Best Cities. Lyman says, "I'm also delighted that the Opening Night First Choice Preview, will benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art's inaugural Design Collection."
Long considered the world's foremost fair for masterworks bridging contemporary decorative, fine art and design, the 12th annual International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair held in New York at the Park Avenue Armory enjoyed buoyant sales and steady crowds from the vernissage on April 15 straight through its four day run ending on Sunday, April 19, 2009. An estimated 14,500 collectors, curators, architects, interior designers, art advisors and new enthusiasts took in SOFA NEW YORK.
Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs (SOFA) are premier gallery-presented art fairs like Art Basel and TEFAF Maastricht. Critically acclaimed and continuously running since 1994, what distinguishes SOFA from other top art events is its focus on 3-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. With a strong educational emphasis, SOFA fairs include a lecture series and special exhibits exploring the artworks debuting at the fair by both established and emerging artists. A VIP program includes exclusive events tailored to high-profile gallery clients and collector/museum groups.
The first annual SOFA WEST: Santa Fe will be held at the brand new state-of-the-art Santa Fe Convention Center with its stunning Pueblo Revival style design. Lyman says, "Located in the heart of Santa Fe's historic downtown with an intimate 40,000 square feet of event space, the new Convention Center lends itself perfectly to a gem of a boutique SOFA fair, with an elite line-up of 40 dealers." Top dealers signed up include; Heller Gallery, Leo Kaplan Modern and Charon Kransen Arts of New York; Litvak Gallery,Tel Aviv; Galleri Udengaard, Aarhus, Denmark; Holsten Galleries, Stockbridge, MA; del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles CA; Elliott Brown Gallery, Seattle, WA; Bullseye Connection Gallery, Portland, OR and Bellas Artes Gallery. Blue Rain Gallery, C Gallery, Jane Sauer Gallery and TAI Gallery of Santa Fe.
Keith Toler, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, "Santa Fe is very excited to be hosting SOFA WEST, and the new Convention Center is an ideal space for it. We plan to invite the world to attend the inaugural event this June."
Santa Fe Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Wurzburger says, "SOFA WEST fits perfectly with Santa Fe's designation as a UNESCO Creative City in Design. We have an acknowledged reputation as an international arts market and SOFA will add a new and welcomed dimension to our already vital summer arts calendar."
Tom Aageson, Executive Director, Museum of New Mexico Foundation says, "We are honored that the New Mexico Museum of Art (NMMoA) will partner with SOFA WEST on its June 10th Opening Night Preview, which will kick-off the summer arts season in Santa Fe with a gala chaired by Ms. Betty Gold and Ms. Patty Terrell. The debut of SOFA WEST will coincide beautifully with the inauguration of the Museum's Design Collection, featuring historic and contemporary New Mexican design objects dating from 1880 to today." Aageson adds, "We look forward to many years of partnership with SOFA WEST."
Santa Fe's economy is largely driven by the arts and cultural tourism, and it has become a relocation hotspot for affluent Americans. It has always been a destination for international art lovers who flock to Canyon Road, Santa Fe's largest gallery district. The University of New Mexico's School of Business ranks Santa Fe as the third-largest art market--by sales--in the country, with 240 galleries and studios--more art galleries than any other city of its size. Lyman says, "We are working with the Santa Fe Gallery Association and area arts organizations to connect SOFA's many out-of-town collectors to the thriving local arts scene."
The stunning new Convention Center (www.santafe.org) is located within walking distance of Santa Fe's historic downtown with its premier hotels, restaurants, museums and shopping. Visit www.sofaexpo.com for more information on SOFA WEST: Santa Fe's luxury hotel partners: The Eldorado Hotel and Spa; Inn on the Alameda; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa; and Inn and Spa at Loretto.
Lyman concludes "We believe that Santa Fe is primed and ready for SOFA! We're delighted with the official welcoming by the Mayor's Office, Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau and New Mexico Museum Foundation, and look forward to rewarding partnerships and many years of SOFA WEST: Santa Fe."
High-resolution images for print are available for download in SOFA WEST: Santa Fe's Press Room at www.sofaexpo.com. SOFA WEST: Santa Fe 2009 will be presented June 11 - 14th at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Opening Night, Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 pm: First Choice Preview, a benefit for New Mexico Museum of Art; 7 pm: VIP Guest Preview. Previews end at 9 pm. For First Choice tickets levels, visit www.sofaexpo.com soon.
Exposition hours are Thursday - Sunday, June 11 - 14th: noon - 6 pm. Tickets are $15 for a single day of general admission and $25 for a four-day pass. Catalogs may be purchased at the Fair, or online for $20 (includes shipping) after the show at www.sofaexpostore.com. For general information, visit www.sofaexpo.com ; call 800-563-SOFA (7632) or 773-506-8860; or email info@sofaexpo.com.
Long considered the world's foremost fair for masterworks bridging contemporary decorative, fine art and design, the 12th annual International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair held in New York at the Park Avenue Armory enjoyed buoyant sales and steady crowds from the vernissage on April 15 straight through its four day run ending on Sunday, April 19, 2009. An estimated 14,500 collectors, curators, architects, interior designers, art advisors and new enthusiasts took in SOFA NEW YORK.
Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs (SOFA) are premier gallery-presented art fairs like Art Basel and TEFAF Maastricht. Critically acclaimed and continuously running since 1994, what distinguishes SOFA from other top art events is its focus on 3-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. With a strong educational emphasis, SOFA fairs include a lecture series and special exhibits exploring the artworks debuting at the fair by both established and emerging artists. A VIP program includes exclusive events tailored to high-profile gallery clients and collector/museum groups.
The first annual SOFA WEST: Santa Fe will be held at the brand new state-of-the-art Santa Fe Convention Center with its stunning Pueblo Revival style design. Lyman says, "Located in the heart of Santa Fe's historic downtown with an intimate 40,000 square feet of event space, the new Convention Center lends itself perfectly to a gem of a boutique SOFA fair, with an elite line-up of 40 dealers." Top dealers signed up include; Heller Gallery, Leo Kaplan Modern and Charon Kransen Arts of New York; Litvak Gallery,Tel Aviv; Galleri Udengaard, Aarhus, Denmark; Holsten Galleries, Stockbridge, MA; del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles CA; Elliott Brown Gallery, Seattle, WA; Bullseye Connection Gallery, Portland, OR and Bellas Artes Gallery. Blue Rain Gallery, C Gallery, Jane Sauer Gallery and TAI Gallery of Santa Fe.
Keith Toler, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, "Santa Fe is very excited to be hosting SOFA WEST, and the new Convention Center is an ideal space for it. We plan to invite the world to attend the inaugural event this June."
Santa Fe Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Wurzburger says, "SOFA WEST fits perfectly with Santa Fe's designation as a UNESCO Creative City in Design. We have an acknowledged reputation as an international arts market and SOFA will add a new and welcomed dimension to our already vital summer arts calendar."
Tom Aageson, Executive Director, Museum of New Mexico Foundation says, "We are honored that the New Mexico Museum of Art (NMMoA) will partner with SOFA WEST on its June 10th Opening Night Preview, which will kick-off the summer arts season in Santa Fe with a gala chaired by Ms. Betty Gold and Ms. Patty Terrell. The debut of SOFA WEST will coincide beautifully with the inauguration of the Museum's Design Collection, featuring historic and contemporary New Mexican design objects dating from 1880 to today." Aageson adds, "We look forward to many years of partnership with SOFA WEST."
Santa Fe's economy is largely driven by the arts and cultural tourism, and it has become a relocation hotspot for affluent Americans. It has always been a destination for international art lovers who flock to Canyon Road, Santa Fe's largest gallery district. The University of New Mexico's School of Business ranks Santa Fe as the third-largest art market--by sales--in the country, with 240 galleries and studios--more art galleries than any other city of its size. Lyman says, "We are working with the Santa Fe Gallery Association and area arts organizations to connect SOFA's many out-of-town collectors to the thriving local arts scene."
The stunning new Convention Center (www.santafe.org) is located within walking distance of Santa Fe's historic downtown with its premier hotels, restaurants, museums and shopping. Visit www.sofaexpo.com for more information on SOFA WEST: Santa Fe's luxury hotel partners: The Eldorado Hotel and Spa; Inn on the Alameda; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa; and Inn and Spa at Loretto.
Lyman concludes "We believe that Santa Fe is primed and ready for SOFA! We're delighted with the official welcoming by the Mayor's Office, Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau and New Mexico Museum Foundation, and look forward to rewarding partnerships and many years of SOFA WEST: Santa Fe."
High-resolution images for print are available for download in SOFA WEST: Santa Fe's Press Room at www.sofaexpo.com. SOFA WEST: Santa Fe 2009 will be presented June 11 - 14th at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Opening Night, Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 pm: First Choice Preview, a benefit for New Mexico Museum of Art; 7 pm: VIP Guest Preview. Previews end at 9 pm. For First Choice tickets levels, visit www.sofaexpo.com soon.
Exposition hours are Thursday - Sunday, June 11 - 14th: noon - 6 pm. Tickets are $15 for a single day of general admission and $25 for a four-day pass. Catalogs may be purchased at the Fair, or online for $20 (includes shipping) after the show at www.sofaexpostore.com. For general information, visit www.sofaexpo.com ; call 800-563-SOFA (7632) or 773-506-8860; or email info@sofaexpo.com.