The New York-based arts group, 4heads, is pleased to present the Fourth Annual Governors Island Art Fair, which will be free and open to the public September 2 - 25, 2011 on Fridays from 11am to 4pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.

The 4heads jury has chosen 120 independent artists of merit and a select number of innovative galleries to participate in this growing tradition.  Each participant is granted space in the abandoned military barracks on Governors Island and is given free reign to design his or her own exhibition.  The result is the dramatic transformation of a national landmark into a spiraling trove of fresh, exciting artwork.  

The epic scope of the 2011 fair includes 116 rooms of sculpture, photography, painting, video, sound, and object installations.  While featuring artists from as far away as Switzerland and Morocco, the fair will also provide a unique venue for a large number of New York talents.  Highlights this year will range from Jonathan Smith's photographs of eerily quiet nighttime cityscapes, to Susan Camp's sculptures made from gourds grown in moulds, to a group exhibition by NYFA's Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp, to Naomi Campbell's Homeless Myths installation made from x-rays and light.  Interactive creative programs, performance art and musical acts will be mixed in and spilling out onto the lawn over the course of the month as well.  Check www.4heads.org for updates about live music, special events, and workshop programs.  

Where most looked across the New York Harbor and saw pre-Civil War arsenal buildings and 19th century forts, 4heads saw an opportunity to flood a historic time capsule with contemporary art.  Dreamed up by artists for artists, the Governors Island Art Fair is quickly becoming a hub for constructive exchange between emerging talents, industry professionals, and the public.  Art collectors, curators, artists, and other art lovers flock to the island by the thousands for this diverse exposition of new works.

"There are a lot of artists who are creating really relevant work, but who otherwise go unnoticed by the art world," says 4heads member Antony Zito.  "We put out an open call to see who's out there, and always find something unexpected and amazing.  Participation in the fair is free--we like to see that as leveling the playing field."

4heads is an arts group led by founding members Nicole Laemmle, Jack Robinson, Ernie Sandidge, and Antony Zito--all working artists themselves.  With an emphasis on beautifying unused spaces, the group is committed to providing diverse venues and forums to present, advocate and serve artists everywhere.

September 2 - 25, 2011
Fridays 11am - 4pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11am - 6pm

The Governors Island Art Fair was originated by 4heads in 2008. The fair occupies Building 12, sections D, E, H, I and P.  Admission is free. Hours are 11am - 4pm on Fridays and 11am - 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, September 2 - 25, 2011. Refreshments will be available at the fair: fresh Two-Boots pizza and po'boys, plus beer and wine.  Governors Island is accessible by a free 7-minute ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street) in Lower Manhattan or a 3-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 (at the end of Atlantic Avenue, at Columbia Street) in Brooklyn. On Fridays, there is no free ferry service from Brooklyn, but there is a paid East River ferry. For directions and further information or call 212.673.9074 or visit www.4heads.org.