Artexpo New York shows that art is everywhere: new exhibits, seminars and pavilions promise for a lively International Artexpo in New York in 2004

Art Business News, Dec, 2003 by Maja Tarateta

This year, International Artexpo New York will celebrate the subtle, simple and significant ways art exists in all things, all the time. Through a variety of special events, seminars and show-floor displays, organizers promise an Artexpo that highlights the influence art has on people's lives and its appearance in everything from music and food to sports, architecture and nature.

Joyce Jamison, Artexpo show director, alludes to some of the ways that this year's show--to be held Feb. 26 to March 1 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center--will embrace the theme "Art is Everywhere."

"The show will highlight artistry in electronics with robotic art, artistry in the human form through sculpture, artistry in sports and Hollywood with a celebrity art benefit, and artistry right in the comforts of your home with interior design," she said.

Art may be everywhere, but for more than 25 years, attendees and exhibitors have found art in one place in particular: Artexpo New York. Last year, more than 42,000 art lovers, representing both consumers and the trade, walked the show floor. Many also walked away with artwork purchased from the array to exhibitors, who brought to the show contemporary and traditional paintings, prints, posters, sculpture, photography, animation and decorative art created by nearly 2,500 artists.

Organizers and exhibitors said they expect an increase in interest at Artexpo 2004. "I expect this will be an above-average expo," said John Bishop of Talking Walls Publishing/B&R International Art in Bonsall, Calif. He said he has booked four booths for this year's show and calls Artexpo "the definitive expo. It's the only expo I do."

Heidi Leigh, owner of Animazing Gallery in New York, agreed. "Artexpo is one of the most significant art shows on the planet," she said. Animazing Gallery will A be exhibiting at this year's Animation Pavilion. One of the new highlights of Artexpo, the Animation Pavilion, which debuted last year, brings together a range of exhibitors from the world of cartoon and comic art. This year's participants include the Museum of Cartoon and Comic Art, along with several animation galleries and artists.

Other pavilions also promise to excite. Returning this year after a successful premier at International Artexpo 2003 is a pavilion featuring contemporary African-American artwork, brought to the show by the California-based national touring company Art on Tour, which was founded by well-known artist Charles Bibbs.

At another pavilion, an area of tile show floor will now be devoted to the work of artists without publisher representation. In the Solo: Independent Artists Pavilion, which is new for 2004, independent artists will have an effective way to present their work to a large audience of dealers and collectors in a gallery-like space.

Returning to the Artexpo will be an exciting lineup of seminars geared to both art-world exhibitors and art-loving attendees. New topics planned for Artexpo University 2004 include: caring for art, expanding your art business on the Internet, maintaining strong artist-dealer relationships, protecting a business with employee contracts and more. Several popular seminar topics also will return from past Artexpos, including: copyright infringement, licensing agreements, branding through advertising, marketing and promotion and collecting cartoon and comic art.

Also back by popular demand is continued cooperation with DECOR Expo New York, which last year began running simultaneously with Artexpo at the Javits Center. Artexpo will be held Feb. 26 to March 1; DECOR Expo will be held from Feb. 27 to 29. Attendees will be able to cross register for each show, enabling them to see both for one price. "The new relationship between the two shows makes it easier for the art world to buy, sell and learn about the latest in popular art and framing," said Jamison, pointing out the success of last year's inaugural effort as evidence.

Those who attend and exhibit at Artexpo year after year say they do so for one reason: success. "I basically represent my father's artwork, and the show itself gives us such a boost in sales," said Eduard Bore of Reuben Bore & Son Art Gallery in Fresh Meadows, N.Y. "The most important thing is the leads. People call you, and they know about your business."

Christi Simoncioni of CMS Fine Art in Long Beach, N.Y., a first-time attendee in 2003, said that she would absolutely recommend the show, based on the wealth of information provided at seminars and demonstrations and the exposure to new artists and publishers. But, she said, the most important things the show provided to her were "networking opportunities that will eventually help future business."

"The show itself gives you such power," said Bore. "There is no way you can miss it."

International Artexpo New York 2004 Show Dates and Hours

February 26 to March 1, 2004

Jacob Javits Convention Center

655 West 34th Street (at 11th Avenue

New York City

Show Hours:

* Thursday, February 26

Open to the trade only

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.