For several years I have been dreaming of hosting an art fair at the Gibbes. I could see it perfectly in my mind: booths of beautiful artwork, a festive opening night party, and the museum bustling with visitors in search of the perfect work of art to take home. I am absolutely thrilled that this vision will become a reality as the Gibbes hosts our first ever Art on Paper Fair the weekend of November 2–4, 2012, in conjunction with the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association Fine Art Annual weekend.
Several people have asked, “What exactly is an Art on Paper Fair?” To give you the basics, the Gibbes has invited 12 galleries to set up booths in the museum and offer works of art for sale. We have chosen to focus on works on paper, which includes prints, drawings, pastels, photographs, watercolors and oils on paper. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to enter the museum free of charge and peruse the works of art for sale, while also enjoying the wonderful exhibitions on view. Each booth will be manned by gallery representatives, all willing to explain the artists and various works of art available for purchase. The great thing about works on paper is that they are available in a wide price range. Whether this is your first art purchase or you are a seasoned collector, come join us. And even if you just want to learn more about art, this is the perfect opportunity. We are offering daily curator-led tours and artist demonstrations throughout the weekend. And like I mentioned, the gallery representatives are more than willing to share their knowledge, so don’t be shy about asking questions—they are wonderful resources for learning about art and building a personal collection.
For the complete Art on Paper Fair schedule, list of participating galleries, and more, visit the Gibbes website. The weekend kicks-off on Friday, November 2, with the opening night preview party Rock, Scissors, Art on Paper hosted by our Society 1858 auxiliary group. On November 3 and 4 the entire museum is free and open to the public, so bring a friend and come see what the Art on Paper Fair is all about!
—Angela Mack, Executive Director, Gibbes Museum of Art
Published October 29, 2012