Chicago Contemporary & Classic announces partnership with Nova Young Art Fair

Art Business News, April, 2005

CHICAGO -- Chicago Contemporary & Classic (CC&C), the new art fair showcasing modern and contemporary art from many of the world's most respected galleries, announces a collaboration with Bridge Magazine's Nova Young Art Fair (NOVA). NOVA, an independent exposition of local, national and international art, will be held at two West Loop locations, and has been scheduled to coincide with CC&C, which will make its debut at Navy Pier Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2, 2005. Both fairs will cross-market and promote their fairs in the Chicago market and beyond.

"We hope to complement the impressive offerings being presented by Chicago Contemporary & Classic and to provide visual-arts audiences with a broader, even more enriching experience of contemporary art" states Michael Workman, publisher of Bridge Magazine and organizer of NOVA. "Our fairs will join forces to provide a quality art experience that reaches from Navy Pier to the thriving West Loop gallery district." NOVA, in cooperation with GenArt Chicago, will also serve as the official April 28 after-party destination for CC & C.

NOVA will be held at two locations. The first location, 857 West Fulton Market, will showcase the works of 30 traditional galleries from Chicago, the nation and around the world in professional-grade, 120 square-foot booths with aluminum trusses and lighting. At a second West Loop location nearby, to be announced at a later date, NOVA will give space to 15-20 individual artists, artist-run spaces, artist groups and apartment galleries to provide an artist-friendly space for patrons to mingle and view art. This fair will seek to educate visitors about the wider purposes of art in today's culture through panel discussions, lectures, video screenings, art and live performances. Through these programs, NOVA will inform and encourage curiosity both in the work of our exhibitors and in the ever-changing role of art in today's society.

"I am very excited to partner with Michael and NOVA," says Ilana Vardy, director of the CC&C. "The galleries and artists showcased in NOVA will expose art lovers to some of the most exciting emerging artists. Together, CC&C and Nova will bring a huge assortment of the most exciting art available for purchase to Chicago."

CC&C is a new concept in the world of contemporary art fairs, providing the public with a historical appreciation of collecting within the context of contemporary culture. The fair will host many of the world's leading exhibitors at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. An educational component to the fair will feature experts in a variety of fields hosting panel discussions open to the public. The series of talks will enhance the overall appreciation of the works on view and will provide a variety of informed opinions regarding collecting in many mediums.

The International Art Group presents Chicago Contemporary & Classic and is a division of Cleveland-based Pfingsten Publishing, L.L.C., the world's largest producer of art shows and art-related publications. Pfingsten produces eight art shows, including Art Miami--held every January at the Miami Beach Convention Center--and five publications, including Art Business News. Chicago Contemporary & Classic will be presented in Chicago at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2. General admission tickets are $15; $10 for groups of 10 or more, for students and seniors; and free for children under 12. For more information, call 312-447-0430; visit www.thepiershow.com.

Bridge Magazine's Nova Young Art Fair will be presented at 857 West Fulton Market from, Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 1. Nova Young Art Fair opens April 28 with a Professional Preview from 1-4 p.m., opening night from 5-10 p.m. and an after-party from 10-2 a.m. Regular hours are April 29 to April 30, noon-8 p.m., and May 1, noon-6 p.m. General admission tickets are $5. For more information, please call 312-421-2227; visit www.novayoungartfair.com.