Since joining Affordable Art Fair New York City (NYC) as Fair Director in 2022, I’ve had the privilege of leading a mission that has been close to my heart, making contemporary art approachable and discoverable. After nearly a decade in the auction and blue-chip gallery world, I wanted to create an environment where collectors could connect with art in a welcoming and transparent way. Each edition of Affordable Art Fair NYC reflects that goal, and this September 17–21, we’re excited to welcome visitors to our new home in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea.

Why We Moved

Relocating the fair was a decision we made with galleries and collectors in mind. Our previous venue was wonderful, but we wanted to provide more space for exhibitors to show additional works at accessible price points and to offer collectors an even broader selection of artwork to explore. The Starrett-Lehigh Building allows us to expand gallery presentations, accommodate more visitors comfortably, and create a layout that encourages discovery and engagement.

Discover Art

This September, 85 exhibitors will showcase work by over 450 living artists, presenting thousands of artworks priced between $100 and $12,000. Our galleries always bring artists whose achievements may surprise you for the price point of their work.

For example, Peter Peereboom of ART_020, a Dutch artist who has lived in Paris for over 35 years, recently had a solo exhibition at Centre Pompidou. Mauricio Morillas from ARTMIX has had nine of his works recently acquired by Delta Airlines for their Atlanta Sky Club Lounge. Glen Wexler, showing with Fabrik Projects, is a photographic artist whose surreal, cinematic work is part of major collections including LACMA, the George Eastman Museum, and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

We’re also thrilled to present artists whose stories add such richness to the fair. Aimee Hofmann, represented by Local Canvas, navigates life as an artist with a disability and was recently featured in a 2024 Burke Rehabilitation Gala documentary. Marisa Mu of TITS & CO. made history as the first Australian and Queer Woman of Color to present a major exhibition at Gracie Mansion during PRIDE 2025.

At Tourné Gallery, both Madalena Negrone and Llanor Alleyne have had works enter major collections – Negrone’s Origine was acquired by the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, while Alleyne’s Another Poem is now part of the Leslie-Lohman Museum in New York. Philip Greenberg of Upstream Gallery is an award-winning New York Times photographer whose work is in the 9/11 Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and SF MOMA.

And finally, Pham Luan, represented by Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Art, is the first Asian artist to have a painting in the New York Historical Society, with additional works held in Vietnam’s National Assembly House and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. And this is just a few to showcase the caliber of artists we bring to NYC each year. We’re so excited to offer our galleries the chance to present these artists in a new venue as well.

Supporting Emerging Galleries and First Time Collectors

One of the most rewarding aspects of running Affordable Art Fair NYC is seeing new collectors discover the joy of acquiring art. At recent editions, over 77% of exhibitor sales went to clients who were new to that gallery, demonstrating how the fair helps galleries expand their collector base while welcoming those engaging with art in new ways.

To support emerging galleries, I launched our Fellowship Program, which provides resources and guidance to connect new and smaller galleries with collectors. This initiative, along with partnerships with organizations like Cohart, Arts Gowanus, Artplacer, CITYarts, Materials for the Arts, and FIT, allows us to create programming that is both educational and engaging – from hands-on workshops to tools that help visitors visualize art in their own spaces.

Responding to the Collector Market

The art market is evolving. Galleries are increasingly focused on expanding audience reach and cultivating sustainable collector relationships, while collectors are looking for transparency, meaningful engagement, and work that resonates aesthetically and culturally.

Affordable Art Fair NYC is designed to meet these needs. 65% of our visitors report purchasing art at least every 1-2 years, and many are collecting for the first time. By keeping pricing clear, curating thoughtfully, and creating an inviting environment, we ensure that both new and experienced collectors feel confident participating in the market.

Growing Beyond New York

Although Affordable Art Fair is an international brand with fairs in 15 cities worldwide, each edition is shaped by its local audience. In New York, more than 75% of visitors live within the five boroughs, making local relevance a priority.

In 2025, we’re also expanding our Northeast team and launching Affordable Art Fair Boston in October and this past May, the second edition of Affordable Art Fair Austin demonstrated that our model – community-focused, collector-driven, and accessible – resonates in multiple U.S. markets.

Looking Ahead

Moving the NYC fair deeper into Chelsea represents more than just a change of address. It is a strategic decision to provide galleries with more space, collectors with more opportunities to discover work and generate accessibility in the contemporary art market. Personally, it is deeply rewarding to see these choices come to life in a venue that supports our vision as a brand and enhances the collector experience.

ABOUT AFFORDABLE ART FAIR NEW YORK FALL

When you visit Affordable Art Fair New York Fall you’ll find an inspiring and friendly atmosphere where you can browse thousands of original contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints showcased by a myriad of local, national and international exhibitors.

The first weekend of April marked a familiar buzz in New York City as Artexpo New York returned for its 48th edition. Held from April 3–6, 2025, at Pier 36 in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side, the world’s original fine art marketplace and longest-running contemporary art fair once again drew art lovers from near and far.

This year’s fair featured 200 leading galleries, publishers, and independent artists from around the globe, presenting an impressive array of original works. The fair was alive with energy — and sales — as attendees explored hundreds of pieces spanning painting, sculpture, photography, prints, ceramics, drawings, glass works, giclees, and lithographs.

With strong attendance and representation from 27 countries, the event was a clear testament to the continued passion of collectors, curators, and art professionals for discovering bold, fresh talent and innovative creations.

SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO!

Artexpo’s dynamic programming and special events kept fairgoers engaged and inspired throughout the weekend. Attendees had the chance to meet this year’s Spotlight Program recipients, celebrate Samir Sammoun’s 30th anniversary of exhibiting at Artexpo New York, and even witness new masterpieces coming to life right on the show floor.

Adding to the excitement was the vibrant Jason Perez Art Collection showcased on the Mezzanine level. From interactive experiences to unforgettable exhibitions, the fair delivered a lively blend of art, celebration, and discovery at every turn.

The Spotlight Program provided collectors with a focused look at several galleries and prominent artists who created a site-specific exhibition. Spotlight Program recipients for 2025 included:

• Ariel Rodriquez
• Bill Hao
• Haydn Lewis
• Mriya Gallery
• Neelam Padte
• Pamela Galleguillos

The newly introduced Redwood Art Prize Contest, an international award open to artists of all disciplines, celebrating creative excellence across diverse art forms with over $20,000 in prizes. This year’s inaugural contest applied “Boundless” as the theme, and the 2025 winners artworks displayed during the fair were Bret Neathery (“Blue Jean Eyes”), Gavin Hein (“Edge of Glory”), Linda Washburn Roberts (“Terraced Sunset”) and Rhea Diehl (“Howling Under a Burning Sky”).

Centered around the “Blink” theme, the debut of the Artexpo New York Digital Photo Contest challenged photographers to capture the essence of creativity and invited them to submit their most compelling images. With over $30,000 in prizes up for grabs, attendees voted for their favorite entrants using voting kiosks located around the fair.

Of course, that’s only a hint of everything that happened — take a look at the videos that capture the magic or our photo albums and you’ll see more of the action!

SALES & SUCCESS STORIES

Artists and galleries were presented special honors as recipients of this year’s Artexpo Awards. This year’s proud winners were the following:

• BEST BOOTH DESIGN: MCP2 Art Studio and Mosaic Contemporary
• BEST SCULPTURE: Art Petrovik and Alejandro Baruch
• BEST NEW EXHIBITOR: Diogo Snow and Sergio Gutierrez
• BEST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITOR: Renssen Art, Bikoh Art Japan, and W Varso Atelier
• DIRECTORS’ AWARD: Chadwick Concepts and Jason Perez Art
• BEST [SOLO] EXHIBIT: Evie I, Jay Kim, and Hardukeh Decor & More
• AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: AGI Fine Art, AGI Fine Art: Bharat Dalal, K-Art Projects USA, and Sara Stieber

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! THE MEDIA BUZZED!

Our team captured all the weekend’s unforgettable moments so you can relive the excitement! Browse our Flickr photo album or check out our latest posts on Facebook and Instagram for a glimpse into everything Artexpo New York had to offer. A huge thank you to everyone who liked, followed, and shared—we love keeping you connected and inspired!

Want more? Go behind the scenes and enjoy exclusive video highlights from the world’s largest fine art marketplace.

Media coverage included a shout-out in MSN, Art Market Magazine, Art Insider, News India, Fashion Week Daily, Excellence Magazine, and Red Hot Monde, among others.

WITH OUR THANKS!

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible exhibitors, collectors, galleries, and artists who helped make Artexpo New York 2025 a truly unforgettable event. We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generous support in making this year’s show one of the best yet.

We can’t wait to welcome you back for Artexpo New York 2026, taking place April 9–12 at Pier 36. See you next year!

The details:

Where: The Art Institute of Chicago
What: Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks”
When: Jun 2-Sep 22

Heading to Chicago? You’re sure to find something revelatory every time you visit the Art Institute—and this time is no different. Even if you think you’re familiar with Georgia O’Keeffe’s work, her “My New Yorks” exhibit offers a new understanding of her range.

A little context:

In 1924, O’Keeffe was living in the Shelton Hotel, then the world’s tallest residential skyscraper. She embarked on a mission to memorialize this time in her life with a series of cityscapes, ranging from street-level compositions of New York’s skyscrapers to the views she captured looking down from her 30th-floor apartment.

The exhibit:

Think of your favorite O’Keeffe work and it’s probably here—right next to something of hers you’ve never seen before. This one-of-a-kind exhibit marks the first time these works have been curated together, highlighting Georgia’s clear-cut artistic vision and the special way she reflected the world around her, no matter what environment she was in.

One of the most compelling things about Georgia’s work is the approachability of it. The simplicity of her vision transcends generations and genres, and it has never been displayed better than in this show.