After close to a decade, Fountain Art Fair is stepping away from the art fair game. Fair producers will take a break to reflect and reconfigure the art fair with a new presentation format in the future. Since 2006, Fountain Art Fair has presented two annual fairs focusing on emerging artists, street artists, artist collectives and emerging galleries. Fairs were presented in New York City and Miami.

“Personally, I have felt endless satisfaction and joy from helping artists achieve and attain their goals," stated Fountain Art Fair co-founder Johnny Leo. "From artists who began on the streets, to artists with strong auction records, Fountain has seen them all and supported them every step of the way.”

“Fountain has fulfilled its duty to the art community and will emerge, in due time, as relevant as it began," he continued. "We are thrilled to have helped bridge the gap between street and gallery and applaud those that continue to fight the good fight.”

Fair co-founder David Kesting added, "I very proud of the accomplishments that we made during the last 9 years of the show, but the fair market has become saturated with middle tier fairs who perpetuate their own brand of mediocrity, and we refuse to be part of that. Hopefully a break from the show's schedule will allow John and I a chance to regroup and find the direction we need to keep the exhibition relevant."

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Courtesy of Fountain Art Fair.

Courtesy of Fountain Art Fair.

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Since 2006, Fountain has been recognized as mainstay art fair and advocate for emerging artists, galleries and collectives in both New York City and Miami. The fair began in 2006 as a collection of three Brooklyn-based galleries and held its first edition in New York City coinciding with The Armory Show. It's first Miami edition launched later that year. Back then, the term “satellite fair” had no prior reference or meaning, said Kesting and Leo.

Through the years, Fountain Art Fair became known as a venue where collectors, art admirers and advocates could meet and interact with new burgeoning talent. In 2010, the fair grew to attract over 10,000 visitors and yielded gross sales of over half a million dollars. Last year, over 80 international galleries exhibited at Fountain New York.

During the fair's hiatus, Kesting and Leo plan to rebuild the fair, taking into account the vast changes in art fair weeks and the vast number of fair production companies that now participate. Former producer and director of the fair, Elizabeth Tully, has stepped down from the company and plans to pursue individual opportunities.

While Fountain Art Fair will not appear in New York or Miami this year, its website and social media will remain active and continue to connect with fans, artists and galleries.

Continue scrolling for scenes from past fairs in NYC and Miami:

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Hullaballoo at Fountain 2012 in New York. Photo by Susan McCartney.

Hullaballoo Collective exhibits at Fountain 2012 in New York. Photo by Susan McCartney.

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Outside of Fountain Art Fair 2012.

Street artists get ready for Fountain Art Fair 2012 in Miami.

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Art in process by Dustin Spagnola as part of the Living Walls installation at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

Art in process by Dustin Spagnola as part of the Living Walls installation at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

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Street art in process by Living Walls at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

Street art in process by Living Walls at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

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Street art in process by Living Walls at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

Street art in process by Living Walls at Fountain Art Fair in Miami, FL. Photo: Rachel Esterday. Courtesy Fountain Art Fair.

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RELATED: "Fountain Art Fair Returns With an Expanded NYC Fair" published March 6, 2014.

"Hullaballoo Collective Returns to Fountain Art Fair" by Pat Rogers. Published March 10, 2013.

"International Street Artists Create Living Wall at Fountain Art Fair" by Pat Rogers. Published December 6, 2012.

"Ancient Meets Cutting Edge at Fountain Art Fair – Colin Goldberg" by Pat Rogers. Published March 8, 2012.

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