Artexpo Atlanta adds SOLO Photo and aducational offerings

Art Business News, July, 2005

CLEVELAND--Building upon the success of its first-ever Artexpo Atlanta, the International Art & Framing Group (IAFG) will introduce a SOLO Photo Pavilion and more than 20 Artexpo education classes at this year's event, Sept. 16-18.

One of last year's most popular attractions, the SOLO Independent Artists Pavilion, will be featured again at Artexpo Atlanta, held at the Georgia World Congress Center. SOLO is dedicated to independent artists, allowing them an opportunity to showcase and sell their work. Up-and-coming artists, who have yet to sign with a gallery or dealer, use SOLO as an opportunity to find out if they have what it takes to succeed in the art world.

"SOLO gives artists a chance to test their work on the next level," says Eric Smith, vice president of IAFG. "It gives independent artists the chance to showcase their talent against the backdrop of a major international art fair. Like last year, many of them will be discovered by dealers, galleries and publishers who are searching for new talent."

Smith adds, "We expect Atlanta to mirror the success of Artexpo New York's SOLO Pavilion that grew from 105 SOLO artists in 2004 to 167 in 2005."

And this year's Artexpo Atlanta will feature the unveiling of SOLO Photo, a new area of the show floor devoted exclusively to the work of independent photographers. The 30-year-old "photography as art" market is robust, with record sales being recorded for the work of name photographers. SOLO Photo gives up-and-coming photographers the opportunity to showcase, market and sell to buyers in the booming Southeastern U.S. economy. Like the SOLO Pavilion, SOLO Photo allows exhibitors the chance to test their work on an international stage.

And for the first-time ever, Artexpo Atlanta will provide more than 20 educational offerings for the trade and consumers. The following is a partial listing of seminars that will be offered at this year's Artexpo Atlanta, Sept. 16-18:

* "A Gallery's Guide to Selling Art" by Zella Jackson, a fine art business development consultant and publicist, as well as the best-selling author of "The Art of Selling Art."

* "Creating Lifelong Collectors of Art" by Jackson.

* "The Art of Selling Art" by Jackson.

* "Spotting Trends in Artwork," by Charlie Kimbell, vice president, marketing and licensing for Wild Apple Graphics.

* "Creating a Compelling Sales Presentation" by Todd Bingham, sales trainer, lecturer, consultant, author and owner of Todd Bingham Fine Art.

* "The Web for the Art Gallery Business," by Bingham.

* "How to Close the Sale & Get the Order" by Bingham.

* "Tips for Artists--Give Gallery Owners What They Want," by Julie Keller, ABN contributor and president of Keller Art Services.

* "Gallery Owners--Build Up Your Mailing Lists," by Keller.

* "Turn Problems into Profit," by Joshua Kaufman, ABN's legal affairs columnist and partner in the law firm, Venable, LLP.

Artexpo, an international art fair featuring artists, galleries and publishers the world over, showcases work designed for every taste, style and budget. Artexpo Atlanta enables every level of collector, from first-time to the more experienced, the opportunity to view and purchase original paintings, photography, sculpture, animation, limited edition prints, giclees and more, all located under one roof.

IAFG is the No. 1 producer of art shows and art-related publications in the world, including Art Miami, Chicago Contemporary & Classic, Artexpo and DECOR Expo, as well as Art Business News, DECOR, Framing Monthly and VOLUME. IAFG is a division of Pfingsten Publishing L.L.C., a business-to-business publishing company that focuses on art and framing, financial services and industrial markets.

For more information, call 888-608-5300; visit www.artexpos.com.