Memories ��

International Artexpo New York got its start at the New York Coliseum in 1978 with the goal of becoming an international fair where artists, collectors, dealers and publishers from all over the world could meet, share ideas, make names for themselves and, of course, sell art. That show began with just a handful of exhibitors who were a major part of the founding of the popular art marketplace. Now, 25 years later, the show is held in the cavernous Jacob Javits Convention Center and features 600 expected exhibitors in more than 140,000 square feet of space. Here, longtime Artexpo exhibitors share their fondest recollections of the show and tell how it has impacted their businesses over the years.

What is your favorite memory of International Artexpo New York?

"My favorite memories of Artexpo all seem to center around the wonderful and interesting people whom I have met there. I've met collectors from all over the world and had many funny and amazing experiences while doing it. Many of the collectors, galleries and decorators have returned year after year to purchase more sculptures, and we have become friends."

Sylvia Chait, artist, Sylvia Chait
Sculpture, Santa Monica, Calif.,
exhibitor since 1979

"My favorite memory is the realization, at the end of the first show, that we met a lot of new clients and did a lot of new business, all with galleries. Another favorite memory is that the first show was very exciting. There was a lot of modern art that was not commercial. There was serious art there that was a show stopper--two people who painted in silver."

Anthony Stancomb,
director, London Contemporary
Art, London,
exhibitor since 1978

"My favorite memory is from the first show. At that time, there were few oversized prints. I introduced a line called Olympus Graphics, which were 38- by 50-inch prints. At that time, most limited editions were 30 by 40 inches. We literally had a line at our booth. We only had 8 or 10 prints, but we sold out, and it was the best Expo we ever had. At the next show, there were plenty of oversized prints. I believe we were the ones who started the trend."

Larry Winn, owner and c.e.o., Grand
Image, Seattle, exhibitor at the first show
as Winn Art Group

"My favorite memory is the success of our first show and the fond memories that it has brought."

Stanley Greenfeld, president, Soho Editions,
Irvington, N.Y., exhibitor since 1986

"There are many great moments from our experiences with Artexpo, but probably the best ones are from 1997 when our artist, Michel Delacroix's, image was the official image of Artexpo. The added exposure, both media and attendance-wise, made for a very exciting show."

Vicky, Berg, operations manager, Axelle Fine Art, New York,
exhibitor since 1994

"I have made so many wonderful contacts as a result of being at Artexpo. I had a gallery, and Artexpo opened the door to higher profit. Artexpo has made me a lot of clients over the years. It is also a great way to see people without going on the road."

Joanne Chappelle, owner, Editions Limited,
Emeryville Calif., exhibitor since 1979

"My favorite memory is from the early shows when everybody produced show posters. We used to run around looking for various walls and other places--including the escalators--to put them."

Bruce McGaw, owner, Bruce McGaw Graphics,
West Nyack, N.Y., exhibitor since 1979

How has Artexpo affected your business over time?

"The show has been a great help to building our business. It is a great way to get in touch with everyone, year after year. It is also a good means to create international business. We meet people from all over the world."

Anthony Stancomb,
London, Contemporary Art

"As with many publishers, our goal for each trade show is to attract new clientele. Artexpo has certainly helped us achieve that. As the biggest art trade show of the year we are able to reach more potential clients and associates. This certainly is true for our international sales as well."

--Vicky Berg, Axelle Fine Arts

"Exhibiting at Artexpo has affected us by getting our name out and allowing us to do so beyond print advertising. It also allows our customers and potential customers to see what we have to offer. We were also able to demonstrate to the public the aesthetic of putting things together from framing, design and colors, through our trade show booth, the biggest thing is there is nothing like feeling and seeing the artwork. It creates an understanding and a connection with the company and the artist."

--Larry Winn, Grand Image

"The show has had an enormous effect on my business. Where else can you go to reach that many potential customers?"

--Bill Mack Erin Taylor Editions

"As the business has grown and publishers created more of an industry, we have helped the Artexpo show to grow as we afford more space. Artexpo has grown with the industry."

Mitch Meisner, owner,
Meisner Galleries, Farmingdale, N.Y.,
exhibitor since the first show

"Artexpo has had a very positive effect on my business. It is the most successful show--and we have done many of the shows. New York is the only show that draws national galleries, and it has been very beneficial to my company. We can show our artwork to new galleries, and it is an easy way to show works to new clients. Last year's show was spectacular, the best show we ever had, and we are looking forward to this year's show."

--Stanley Greenfeld, Soho Editions

"Artexpo helps my business because it is the only outlet to the world out there where I am present in the booth and people meet me. Artexpo becomes old Mends week. I have become friendly with my collectors. I send out invitations to the show and people come back."

Marjorie Tomchuck,
artist, M. Tomchuck Fine Arts,
New Canaan, Conn.

"Artexpo is a great venue for artists to meet galleries. It is the best thing around. When young artists ask me where to go for distribution, I tell them Artexpo. It has a face-to-face value. It also gives galleries an opportunity to evaluate work throughout the building. The show also gives me the opportunity to premier new work. I hold back on my releases so that I can show them at Artexpo. I also enjoy seeing the wonderful people who exhibit. They have become friends who I see once a year."

--Bill Mack, Erin Taylor Editions

"The show is a great stimulation in meeting clients and acquiring new ones."

John Glade,
Felix Abada Inc., New York,
exhibitor since the first show

"At Artexpo, I look forward to seeing all of our clients. A lot publishers don't like to sell retail, but I enjoy the Saturday and Sunday crowd,s and I like showing our new products and images."

--Stanley Greenfeld, Soho Editions

"Seeing our customers face to face, being able to show off our new art and artists and just the whole excitement and frenzy of the show is the best part. It is always nice to put a face to the voice. Most of the time, the only contact we have with customers is on the phone. Meeting them in person and really getting that one-on-one contact is invaluable. It helps seal the relationship. It also gives our artists the chance to meet the people who are representing their work and hearing the praise directly."

--Vicky Berg, Axelle Fine Arts

"I look forward to exhibiting at the show each year. It is very exciting, particularly in the New York City atmosphere. I love meeting all these charming, wonderful, most delightful people at the show. People have given me gifts and kept in touch over time. It is so nice to see everyone year after year."

--Sylvia Chait, Sylvia Chair Sculpture

"We really look forward to being in one place and seeing a lot of our dealers and friends. It really is a once-a-year opportunity to meet and greet in one place."

--Mitch Meisner, Meisner Galleries

"I look forward to the contact with the people who come in. There is direct contact and conversation with galleries, buyers and old exhibitor friends."

Marjorie Tomchuck,
M. Tomchuck Fine Arts

"We look forward to helpfully getting more leads that we would not normally get. It is expensive to go there, and if we go there to sell to customers we already have, it's useless. But picking up new customers makes the show worthwhile."

Jack Solomon, chairman and c.e.o.,
[S.sup.2] Art Group, Las Vegas,
exhibitor since the first
show with Circle Fine Art

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group