Seven Things to Know about Art Hamptons 2016 | Hamptons Art HubHamptons Art Hub

Art Hamptons opens its 2016 art fair in The Hamptons with new ownership, a new time slot and a new look. Returning to the same Bridgehampton private estate as last year, optimism is high that the art fair will shake away any shadows from prior editions to present a consistent and quality art fair that's on its way up.

Now presented by Urban Expositions, the fair production company has been prepping in earnest for their first Hamptons art fair and to carve out their own identity for the art fair that is the longest-running fair in The Hamptons. One of the first changes they made was to move Art Hamptons one week earlier to present the fair before July 4th weekend instead of being part of the holiday festivities. This also positions Art Hamptons two weeks before Art Market + Design and Art Southampton arrive on July 7, 2016.

Art Hamptons. Courtesy Art Hamptons & politiweek.com.

"We are thrilled to present this year's Art Hamptons fair and to launch the summer season by being the first art fair of the summer in the Hamptons!," stated Donna Davies, Vice President of Art Group for Urban Expositions.

"We have made significant investments and changes to strengthen the fair -- new fair dates, new logo and website, and new galleries to present an exciting juxtaposition of high-caliber galleries from across the US, but also with a strong presentation of international galleries," Davies continued. "We are looking forward to being part of this community for many years to come, and we are excited to bring a diverse art fair with offerings from around the globe for our attendees."

When the Art Hamptons pavilion opens on Thursday night for its Black Card and Opening Night Previews, the changes to the fair will be revealed. Here's what you know to about the 2016 edition of Art Hamptons.

1. When, Where & How Much

Art Hamptons will be presented from June 23 - 26, 2016 on private estate in Bridghampton (900 Lumber Lane), making it the first in a trio of art fairs presented annually in The Hamptons. The Opening Night Preview will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016. The First Look Black Card Access takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. The Opening Night Preview will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

General Admission Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets to the Opening Night Preview are $75. Hamptons Art Hub readers receive $5 off. Click here and use the code "hamptonsarthub" to get the discount.

2. Who's the New Fair Producer?

Urban Expositions purchased the Hamptons Expo Group, owned by Rick Friedman, in September 2015. Purchasing the entire art fair family of Hamptons Expo Group, Urban Expositions presented the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair (now Art Palm Springs) in February 2016 as the first fair after the owner switch.

Before inking the deal with Hamptons Expo Group, Urban Expositions was a fair and event production company who had recently gone international when the majority ownership of the company was purchased by London-based Clarion Events. On the art front, Urban Expositions produces SOFA Chicago along with 34 fairs or trade shows in industries not connected to art. Click here for details.

Urban Expositions provides a curatorial approach for its art fairs through Donna Davies, a former art dealer and gallery director. Based in Chicago, Davies was formerly Director of Marx-Saunders Gallery (Chicago) and Assistant Director of Contemporary Art at Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, N.M.

3. Art Fair Kick Off & LongHouse Award Presentation

Right away, Art Hamptons puts a spin on the new but returning fair with a Ribbon Cutting by Benefit Co-Chairs Maria and Kenneth Fishel and Jack Lenor Larsen, along with Marion and Samuel Waxman of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. The ribbon will flutter at 5 p.m. at the Fair Entrance in a grand gesture.

But wait, there's more. LongHouse will select the Best Artwork and the Best Booth and present the awards immediately following.

4. One Party, One After Party and Multiple Art Events

Prior editions of Art Hampton have been known for splashy parties drenched with celebrities held across most days of the art fair. For 2016, Art Hamptons dials it down and presents the splash on Thursday night only followed by events, panels, tours and happenings related to art. Expect to find art tours of the fair, book signings, artist talks, panel discussions on investments, Cuban Art, the East End as art magnet and more.

Also new for this year are off-site programming including private tours of LongHouse and Dan Flavin Institute for First Look Black Card Holders. Also marking a first is an off-site After Fair Party held on Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Oreya Southampton. For details and a full event schedule, click here.

5. Event Highlights

When queried on highlights for this year's fairs, Urban Expositions representatives pointed to two panel discussions: "Cuban Art Today", presented on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and "Allure of the East End", presented on Sunday at 2 p.m.

"Cuban Art Today" address role of the art market and of local and foreign collectors, as well as the globalized situation in which Cuban art participates today. The works and artists that will be covered are essential to Havana’s current, dynamic art scene. Panelists are Carole Rosenberg, President, American Friends of Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Luis Miret, gallery director of Galeria Habana, and Tonel, artist, critic, and curator.

The panel is presented in conjunction with the Galeria Habana's exhibition "ARTCHIPELAGO: Because Every Artist is an Island" at Art Hamptons.

"Allure of the East End" discuss the attraction of the East End for artists and the significance of artistic gatherings. Panelists are Helen Harrison, Director of the Pollock-Krasner House and Studio, Christina Strassfield, Museum Director and Chief Curator, Guild Hall, Dawn Watson, journalist and photographer with the discussion moderated by Pat Rogers, Publisher and Managing Editor, Hamptons Art Hub. Click here for more details.

6. Who's Exhibiting?

Galleries are dispersed fairly evenly among New York, national and international locations. The lion's share of the galleries are from New York City and the United States with California, Florida and Connecticut offer concentrations. International galleries are based in Havana, Tel Aviv, Paris, Madrid, Seoul, Shanghai, Cordoba, Argentina and others.

From The Hamptons, expect to find RJD Gallery, Lawrence Fine Art, Sara Nightingale Gallery and others. For a preview of some of the work presented by RJD Gallery, click here to read about some of the artists presented at the art fair and in the current exhibition at the Sag Harbor gallery.

Expect to find some familiar faces: Returning galleries to Art Hamptons include Evan Lurie Gallery (Carmel, IN), Chase Edwards Gallery (Bridgehampton, NY), Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery (New York & London), Villa del Arte Galleries (Barcelona) and others.

7. Finding Art Hamptons & Parking

Art Hamptons will be presented on a private estate in Bridghampton. It's located at 900 Lumber Lane near Scuttlehole Road. (Hint: It's not far from Nova's Ark Project, which has been the site of previous Art Hamptons fairs and, in more recent years, the location of Art Southampton).

Limited on site parking available on Opening Night. Auxiliary parking available via complimentary shuttle from an auxiliary lot located at the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center, 551 Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.

Valet parking available for a fee. Complimentary self-park and paid valet service are available during general admission hours.

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BASIC FACTS: Art Hamptons will be presented June 23 - 26, 2016 at a private estate located at 900 Lumber Lane (at Scuttlehole Road), Bridgehampton, NY 11932. The Opening Night Preview will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016. First Look Black Card Access takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Opening Night Preview will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

For information and details on Art Hamptons, visit www.arthamptons.com.

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