What is the best Art Fair in the USA? What makes for a compelling exhibit of this subjective subject of art?
Hubby and I have been attending the Park Avenue Armory show for many years now. It is a favorite spring activity that we enjoy as a couple.
The art is on the expensive side, but the curating is excellent and the experience is enormously captivating and surprisingly intimate.
The Park Avenue Armory is a beautiful venue in terms of architecture and breathtaking woodwork.
This site is an historical landmark and arguably the city’s most dynamic new arts center. It is unflinchingly dedicated to visual and performing art. As well, it is a non-profit organization. How can you beat that?
Bright pink and abundant fresh flowers grace the entry to this prestigious show.
However, before even entering of this art show, this landmark impresses with its rich old world craftsmanship embellished by exquisite light fixtures and grand staircases.
Annually, this art show is organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA). All admission fees from this Art Show, as well as proceeds from the Gala Preview, benefit the Henry Street Settlement, one of New York’s leading social service, arts, and health care organizations.
Captivating art and an opportunity to support a good cause is hard to resist!
I would have loved to have taken photos of the beautiful paintings that we had the opportunity to see. However I thought the flash from my camera would be disconcerting to the other attendees who were also appreciating the art.
That said, you can see some images here. Enjoy them!
At this point you may be wondering what I wore for this weekend art fair. They answer would be quite the mouthful, or paragraph in this case, so I will share two photos.
Black silk velvet is the perfect fabric for a spring day that is still a bit chilly. Created by Carmen Marc Volvo, this coat is deliciously soft and drapes elegantly. So much so that it feels organic and a part of me! The bugle beads caught the light just so.
Purchased at either Michael’s or Encore, this coat was a bit pricey, but a a good buy nonetheless. The fabric and embellishment are excellent and a coat like this could easily have cost 10 times more. My skirt is a floral print and pleated number, bought second-hand in 2015. The sweater is cashmere by Elie Tahari, also bought at consignment .
Today, white I enjoy the best art fair in the USA, I am pleased to be able to wear three of my favorite things. My orange twilly- seen here last- and croc Kelly ( both Hermés.. please don’t judge, a long story) and this luminous black coat. My panther bracelet is also a thing I treasure. So okay, let’s make that four!
Do you know the feeling of wearing something so lovely that women stop and smile at you? This is how I felt that day.
It might be an opportune time to say that I really do dress for myself, and for other women as well. However, my husband did also appreciate this ensemble.
Dressing up is something that is being done less and less these days. But as I say this, I understand that when people do take this extra effort, it is truly appreciated by many. We should all take the opportunity to dress up when we feel like it!
See a detail shot below:
Now I need to mention this. While I am talking about dressing up, I must confess that recently I’ve been wearing yoga pants and/ or camouflage joggers most of this month.
So I do not want to sound hypocritical! It has been a month….
The best Art Fair in the USA is subjective.
I also like small art shows that represent local and emerging artists. Certainly, I also enjoy craft shows that feature the individual artisan. Another favorite of mine is one that happens in East Hampton every summer. I have purchased Art at both the Park Avenue Armory Fair and the smaller art show on the East End. Even eBay has bee a source for art that I treasure .
How subjective is art? This is the topic of intense debate. Alas, it is an individual and somewhat of an emotional decision.
Let’s take the following two images as an example!
Framed the image looks like this:
So, are you interested in the provenance and background of this artist? LOL!
Confession time!
As I was taking a photograph of my silk velvet coat my hand was unsteady. I ended up with this image below. At this point I edited this image with an app, and then “framed” it with another app.
So this was just an accidental photo. The process took under two minutes. However, it does beg the controversial question of what we consider fine art. This, however, is not!
What is fine art! What is the best art fair in the USA?
Where do you go to buy your art? Do you decorate with your own photos?
Do you paint, sketch or sculpt?
I am curious about your responses ! So please let me know!
—— XOXO, Elle——
You always appreciate what your area has around you, Elle. That’s one of the things I just love about reading your blog!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You are quite right about that. But I am lucky that there’s so much around me to enjoy. You also have so many beautiful things around you as well. And much more nature. Which is the best!
xo, Elle
Sounds like a fun day out and that coat is beautiful, such a perfect topper with your outfit 🙂
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 Another busy one here!
Away From The Blue
Yes it was fun indeed. The art was quite inspiring and the sun was shining! I hope you and your family are well my friend.
xo,, Elle
Oh Elle, you do know what Karl said about joggers do you? Hahaha, Just kidding. I have one painting in my living room, I know it all my love. It s abstract and I have loved it all my love. We love to visit sculpture gardens.
Nancy that sculpture garden sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I am so pleased that you have a painting that you really treasure. Actually I’m going to have to look that up. LOL.
xo, Elle
Hi Elle. Such a coincidence once more. I am just writing a blogpost about an art exhibition I have visited. Not one that supports good causes, but equally beautifully situated and showing lots of work of the young Picasso, guiding the visitors through his blue and rose periods and explaining the meaning of these periods for his artistic development. Wonderful exhibition and worth visiting for all your readers (relatively) close to Basel, Switzerland. Basel is a great small city for a short weekend break too! Like you I was wearing a floral dress to the exhibition too. The super stylish… Read more »
Velvet coat or no, I’m sure you looked exquisite. The art exhibition sounds wonderful. I will have to check it out on the blog.
xo, Elle
As a long-time art lover, I’ve known about this but never gone. Glad to hear your positive review.
OH ! You should certainly go, just try to find time when it is quiet, and the venue gets very crowded and that can impact the experience!
xo, Elle
Elle you look fabulous and I know what you mean with women looking at you in your stunning coat.
XOXO Tina
Thank you Tina. Yes it was a very eye-catching coat and I think people really appreciated that I dressed up for the event. Thank you so much for your comment to my friend.
xo, Elle
Oooh! That coat is S-W-E-E-T!!! What a piece.
Too funny about your “art”.
I’ve painted and drawn most of my life although I seem to have dropped it in the last few years. I used to create for a living. I do miss the serenity it brought me sometimes. Now I’m too busy focusing on my business which doesn’t require any handmade art.
I adore art shows. They always inspire me.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thank you Suzanne. You can imagine how happy I was to find it. Working with our hands is so calming. I also love art shows and even, and perhaps especially, smaller ones..
xo, Elle
This sounds like a truly interesting arts show, Elle. I don’t think we have anything remotely like this here in Belgium. Or at least not that I know of. I do love visiting our local sculpture park, which often has exhibitions of smaller, more fragile works of art. These change regularly and are always a pleasant surprise. Your coat is a work of art in itself, such exquisite beading.! And I actually love your accidental art. You really got me fooled there! xxx
Thank you so much and. The sculpture park sounds ideal with all of the changing artists. I’m glad you like my accidental art. It was so fun to do!
xo, Elle
Dear Elle, how wonderful you visited this exclusive fair! And honestly I’m not surprised what women stopped and give you such a friendly smiling feedback as you look simply perfect! Your look is wonderful and so are you!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Rean,
I think the smiles were mostly because I took the time and energy to dress up. Even though the venue was sort of fancy, most people dressed in joggers or denim -and it is nice when people make the effort to look pleasing.
xoxo, Elle
Oh, that COAT! I swoon, Elle, over that dreamy velvet. No wonder you get smiles from others! We don’t have to defend owning what we own, whether we bought it ourselves, or someone bought it for us. Enjoy your beautiful things! Your cuff looks like it would be friends with my tiger shoulder brooch, doesn’t it? I grew up doing all kinds of art: I can draw, paint (oil, watercolour, acrylics), I can throw a pot on a while, make prints, lots of things. I once spent 3 months painting model railroad backgrounds! I don’t do art as much as… Read more »
Yes my bracelet would look so beautiful with your shoulder pin. They would be a perfect and happy pair. I’m not surprised that you are artistic. I would never think to paint model railroad backgrounds You also inspire me and continue to amaze!
xo, Elle
Yes, I do paint, sketch and sculpt. This art fair sounds amazing. I love that it is non profit and all about supporting artist. I’d love to visit it some day if I get the chance. American art is always so fresh and dynamic. There are certainly a lot of talented artists there.
Your outfit looks very Renaissance and I love that. It’s feminine, artistic and sophisticated at the same time. You look absolutely beautiful.
Ivana, what a lovely comment. I would love to see your artwork it is amazing that you paint scotch and sculpt! Yes I agree American art is fresh. But all art is beautiful. Thanks again for your comment..
xo, Elle
This looks so fun, and you look beautiful!
http://www.jessicabroyles.com