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 With the auction market in Canada grabbing most of the art market headlines these days it is refreshing to learn that the retail market – let’s make that the art fair market - for fine art is keeping pace and, as a result, no doubt contributing to the current saleroom bonanza. Certainly this must be the conclusion following the success of the 6th annual Toronto Art Fair – Art Toronto 2005 – last November. Sales activity was reported as being strong with many dealers celebrating multiple purchases, particularly on opening night, culminating with a million dollar sale on closing day.
Offering a diverse range of contemporary art dealers and quality programming the 2005 fair reported an 8% increase in attendance taking the total number of visitors to over 18,000. And these were not just gate turners either. Dealers reported unprecedented growth in sales of works over $100,000 as well as a dramatic increase in the sale of international and younger avant-garde art. We are told that international galleries who were wary about entering a foreign market left Art Toronto 2005 convinced it was one of their best investments to date and are already committed to next year’s fair.
The 7th annual fair, Art Toronto 2006, will take place October 12-16, 2006 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. |
