Boston fair returns for fifth outing

BOSTON--The Boston International Fine Art Show (BIFAS), a showcase for traditional and contemporary fine art, returns Nov. 15 to 18 for its fifth-annual show at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. BIFAS features work from 40 galleries from across the United States, Europe and Canada with about one-third of the galleries from Boston. On display will be an array of artwork that includes 17th- to 20th-century paintings, ancient art, sculpture, photography, fine prints, studio furniture, glass and ceramic sculpture.

"We have been crafting a show that fits the resident and tourist art market in Boston," said show co-producer Tony Fusco. "We are unique on the show circuit by the variety we achieve through only 40 exhibitors, giving each gallery a distinctive presence at the show. The smaller size of the show, which is capacity for the facility, means buyers can actually find their way back to a booth they've admired."

The show will kick off with a Gala Preview the night before opening that will benefit the Gillette Centers for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Care. Last year, the Gala drew close to 500 art buyers, dealers, members of the press and Dana-Farber supporters.

A special exhibition of works by women faculty members of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will also be on view throughout the weekend. Entitled "From Her Own Studio" the exhibition is a contemporary reflection of the current MFA Boston exhibition "A Studio of Her Own: Women Artists in Boston 1870-1940," curated by Erica Hirshler, senior curator of paintings. Hirshler will present a guest lecture at BIFAS. Other lectures will also be held, and all lecture programs are free with show admission.