Photo: © Adam D. Smith




Hamptons Fine Art Fair Expands and Evolves to Meet Demand



By Benjamin Genocchio



The summer’s most expansive art fair returns July 10–13 to the Southampton Fairgrounds in Southampton, New York, with 130 gallery displays featuring over 600 artists. New York collectors, interior designers, and art lovers come out for this event, which last year tallied 15,000 visitors during the run of the show.



Andy Warhol, II.7 Liz, 1964. Offset lithograph, 23.3 x 23.3 inches. Image courtesy of Adamar Fine Arts



“Treasures for every budget,” is how fair director Rick Friedman describes the popular Hamptons Fine Art fair, adding that over $200 million worth of art will be on display in a custom-built tent on Southampton Fairgrounds. “Whether you’re a collector, redecorating your home, or curious, you’ll uncover works of art for every budget level,” Friedman says. 



At Hamptons Fine Art Fair 2024, a crowd gathers at Leila Heller Gallery’s booth. Photo: © Adam D. Smith



The Hamptons Fine Art Fair, now in its 5th year, has built a reputation as a place of discoveries. This year’s fair includes exhibitors from 15 countries and two dozen American states divided into sections devoted to emerging art and blue chip art, along with booths themed around Surrealism (Museum of Modern Renaissance), young Australian artists (Lara Scolari Gallery), Peruvian women artists (Bloc Art) and abstract art with a focus on artists working in New York (Projects 28). 



Alex Katz, Sunrise 1, 2022, (33/100). Archival Ink on fine art paper, 54 x 40.5 in. Image courtesy of New River Fine Art



The fair also includes several ‘Spotlight’ booths to highlight important artists deserving further attention. Among the spotlight booth artists are Ron Agam at Markowicz Fine Art, James Gill at New River Fine Art, Giancarlo Impiglia at Counterpoint Contemporary, Robert Natkin at Sundaram Tagore, Hunt Slonem at Grenning Gallery, and David Yarrow showing at the Sorrel Sky Gallery.



Julian Opie, Dancers Synced, 2024. Silkscreen, 37 x 59 in. Image courtesy of Vertu Fine Art



There are 45 first-time galleries this year, reflecting a range of new artistic voices, perspectives, and cultures. Among the long list are Anita Rogers Gallery (New York), Artwork On Wheels (Niagara Falls), Artwork On Wheels (Delray Beach), Bushwick Gallery (New York), Contempop Gallery (Tel Aviv and New York), Drew Marc Gallery (Tampa), Gallery Chang (New York and Seoul), Galerie Perahia (Paris) and Eden Gallery (New York). 



Hunt Slonem, Ocelots Salvador, 2024. Oil on canvas, 50 x 70 inches. Image courtesy of Grenning Gallery



Eden Gallery is the largest single exhibitor in the show in terms of floor space with a presence equivalent to 8 standard booths. They are featuring artworks by Mario Matera and Yoël Benharrouche, among others. Nearby is Slattery Gallery, a new gallery opening in Southampton in July by the former CEO of GE Aerospace. They are showing a single artist, Kevin Sharkey from Ireland. 



Left: Giancarlo Impiglia, Absolut Impiglia. Image courtesy of Counterpoint Contemporary  Right: Roy Lichtenstein, Reflection, 1989. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches, signed and dated verso. Image courtesy of Veritas Contemporary



There is a special focus this year on what Freidman terms ‘pedestal-based art objects’, essentially small sculptures as well as art glass. Jeans Gallery is bringing a selection of Picasso ceramics. “We wanted to include a range of small items that can be acquired by every guest at relatively lower prices, and that are easier to integrate into the home,” Friedman explains. “There is also so much great art glass work being produced at the moment and this gives us a chance to highlight that.” 


To help manage visitor demand (and traffic in Southampton on the Montauk Highway), the fair will introduce a timed entry policy with 2 sessions a day for general admission. They have also beefed up the VIP-only entry days (expanded from 1 to 2 days, July 10 and 11), to allow serious art buyers to view the booths in advance of the crowd. 



Photo: © Adam D. Smith



This is Friedman’s 5th Hamptons Fine Art Fair, but it is the 18th art fair he has produced in the Hamptons. His first art fair here, Art Hamptons, was launched in 2007 and later sold with other fairs he owned. He says he never thought he would be at it this long. “This is an incredibly popular weekend in the Hamptons and demand from exhibitors and visitors just keeps growing.”

 




Location, Times & Details


Southampton Fairgrounds

605 County Road 39, Southampton, NY 11968

(Between Mercedes Benz of Southampton and Southampton Golf Club)


VIP Opening

Thursday, July 10

VIP “First-Look” Opening Preview: 12–5pm; Benefits Guild Hall

VIP Opening Preview Evening: 5–9:30pm; Benefits Parrish Art Museum


VIP Collectors Day Opening
Friday, July 11

Early Session: 11am–3pm

Late Session: 3–7pm


General Admission

Saturday, July 12

Early Session: 11am–3pm

Late Session: 3–7pm


Sunday, July 13

Early Session: 11am–3pm

Late Session: 3–6pm


For tickets please visit: hamptonsfineartfair.com