French Flair At Hamptons Fine Art Fair

Hamptons Fine Art Fair (HFAF) is back for its third iteration, and this year, expands dramatically from Southampton Arts Center to the 17-acre Southampton Fairgrounds. The fair will take place over Bastille Day weekend, July 14 to 17, and will be staged in one 40,000 square foot Pollock and VIP Pavilion with 85 galleries from 43 cities and seven countries taking place. Expertly curated, this year’s artwork prices start at $10,000 and some pieces will be offered for well over seven figures.

“Our goal is to provide our fellow art-enthusiastic Hamptonites a curated, high-caliber selection of important 20th and 21st century art — ranging from compelling emerging artists to the blue-chip masters,” said longtime show producer and Southampton resident Rick Friedman. “With the fear of COVID vanishing in the Hamptons, we expect over 7,000 local residents to enthusiastically explore the exhibits with more vim and vigor than ever. This is perhaps the deepest and widest selection of significant art ever offered in the Hamptons.”

Over $100 million in important post-war and contemporary art is available for immediate acquisition. The fair also offers hundreds of new East End homeowners who relocated to the region in the last two years a convenient and dynamic marketplace to find a wide selection of art pieces for the decor of their homes.

In keeping with tradition, HFAF 2022 will recognize specific artists for their accomplishments. The 2022 Lifetime Achievement in Painting will be presented to Ronnie Landfield (Findlay Galleries) who, at age 75, will be saluted for his remarkable sixth decade of artistic accomplishments. The prolific Hunt Slonem (New River Fine Art) joins the fair as the Spotlight Artist honoree. Other distinguished awardees in the category of Featured Artist of the fair include Elise Ansel (Carole Corey Gallery), Jennifer JL Jones, (New River Fine Art), local Hamptons artist Chris Kelly (Colm Rowan Fine Art), and sculptor Gilberto Romero, (Winterrowd Fine Art).

Several galleries will be presenting specially curated themed booth displays. Hollis Taggart Galleries presents “West and Kotin: Revisiting Two AbEx Masters.” Local dealer Mark Borghi displays “Mercedes Matter; The Last Works.” Walker Fine Art showcases, “The Magical World of M.C. Escher.” NYC based Zeit Contemporary Art stages, “Warhol and Haring.” Toth Gallery presents “Discovering Cuban Art.”

The opening night July 14 Bastille Day Vernissage will have a French theme and benefits Guild Hall. With cultural partner, The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF) the evening will offer VIP guests a taste of France, with fine French wines tastings hors d’oeuvres and other surprises. Setting the Parisian mood is a live performance of the popular French singer and recording star, Colette Perrier, and the French Heart Jazz Band. A spectrum of French aligned galleries will celebrate their National Holiday at the fair, including Mark Hachem Gallery, Frederick Got Gallery, Fremin Gallery, Galerie Calderone, Galerie L’Atelier, Helwaser Gallery, The Selects Gallery.

The Hamptons Fine Art Fair is at 605 County Road 39, in Southampton. Tickets to the Bastille Day Vernissage are $150 for Gold Pass, $100 for VIP pass, and daily general admission is $30. Tickets available at hamptonsfineartfair.com. For details call 516-991-4042.