Spring Masters New York, the international art and design fair, concluded yesterday evening after a successful third and final edition that attracted high-quality collectors, world-class gallery participants, and praise for architect Rafael Viñoly’s unique hexagonal booth layout. Held Friday, May 6 through Monday, May 9, 2016 at the historic Park Avenue Armory, the fair highlighted 59 galleries from the United States, Europe, and Asia showcasing works from antiquity through the 21st century.

Spring Masters New York, directed by Michael Plummer and Jeff Rabin of Artvest Partners, drew in thousands of visitors, responding to the demand for a high-end, secondary market fair focused on connoisseurship during the peak of the spring art season in New York. With the conclusion of Spring Masters New York, Plummer and Rabin are using their extensive experience with collectors, galleries, and museums to present a new joint venture with TEFAF in New York City at the Park Avenue Armory, whose first fair opens this Fall.
 
Over 2,900 notable art dealers, collectors, and patrons attended the VIP Preview Party on Thursday, May 5 to browse the expertly curated and thoroughly vetted presentations, reflecting the vibrant eclecticism of the range of periods and styles on view. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about and support ProjectArt, a non-profit organization with a single goal: to put paintbrushes in the hands of young American children whose schools lack the resources to provide adequate arts education.

Participating exhibitors spoke highly of their experience at Spring Masters on the final day of the fair:

Adrian Biddell, Waterhouse & Dodd: “It is always brilliant to be in the heart of Manhattan, it’s perfect for seeing our regular clients, and making new friends. The Armory too is such a landmark building, the backdrop to a memorable last season for Spring Masters. The opening was especially busy, and we have made lots of new contacts and received excellent new leads over the five days of the show. So it’s been very worthwhile exposure for us. Plans for the TEFAF New York fair are very exciting, and we very much look forward to being under the TEFAF umbrella in 2017.”

Ezra Chowaiki, Chowaiki & Co: “We’ve done other fairs, and Spring Masters had, by far, the best organization and facilities for exhibitors. We have never before participated in a fair in which we met such great buyers. The fair provided an inviting environment for some of the world’s best collectors.”

Marianne Rosenberg, Rosenberg & Co.: “We love the flow of the fair layout. It brings a new energy and many visitors to the exhibitors. It has been an exciting and gratifying week. We are most grateful to the organizers for the vision.”

Florian & Nikolaus Kolhammer, Kunsthandel Kolhammer: "Our first fair in New York was a big success. The interest in Austrian art is incredible. We've been thrilled to make new connections with collectors here in New York and with the group of international dealers exhibiting at Spring Masters."

Wahei Aoyama, Yufuku Gallery: "This is our first time exhibiting at Spring Masters. We had a tremendous experience and met many excellent new clients. We were able to place two works in museums and sold 18 out of 24 works."

Adarsh Alphons, Founder of ProjectArt: “We are thrilled to be a part of Spring Masters. The caliber of the audience that attended the fair is unequalled - they have a great eye and are steeped in a deep love of the arts. It's also fantastically produced.”

Simon Teakle, Simon Teakle Fine Jewelry & Objects: “Spring Masters continues to attract a great cross section of collectors and presents their international exhibitors in a fresh and exciting way. Sales were across the board and steady with one very important piece pending. Being able to introduce Hannah Martin (a fresh contemporary designer from London) has only reinforced the breadth and scope of what they like to offer the New York community.”

David Benrimon, David Benrimon Fine Art: "Amazing fair. We are very pleased to have sold two major pieces. Great crowd, great collectors and great flow of art dealers and galleries that support this show. We look forward to more follow up this week."

Sundaram Tagore, Sundaram Tagore Gallery: “Our New York-based clients were extremely enthusiastic about attending this fair and loved the mix of work from different eras. It was our first time participating and we sold seven pieces, including a large Hiroshi Senju. It was a great success for us.”

Audrey Friedman, Primavera Gallery: “This has been an excellent fair for us. We sold several important objects, including an important sculpture, and a number of pieces of jewelry. We expect to close the sale of two pieces of furniture by the end of the day, and we have made some excellent new contacts." 

Robert Simon, Robert Simon Fine Art: “We have seen a steady flow of enthusiastic collectors — many familiar with Old Master paintings and others new to the field.  This has certainly been the most successful Spring Masters and while we are sad to see it end, we know it will lay the groundwork for TEFAF New York.”

Hicham Aboutaam, Phoenix Ancient Art: “Our third and final year at Spring Masters ends on a high note with significant sales. In addition to the knowledgeable and excited collectors, it was gratifying to see an impressive number of respected academics visiting the fair, allowing the opportunity to engage in scholarly dialogue about the exceptional art of the ancient world.”