Inaugurating a new moment on the art fair calendar, The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) to benefit Henry Street Settlement, closed its 2021 edition yesterday with an enthusiastic response from ADAA members, collectors, museum leaders, and visitors, who welcomed the return of the fair in its new fall timeslot. Mounted annually at the Park Avenue Armory by the ADAA, a nonprofit membership organization of the leading art dealers from around the country, The Art Show drew praise for its high-quality curated presentations and distinctly accessible scale, which remain its signature qualities--attracting collectors, museum leaders, and visitors every day of the fair.

The fair kicked off with the annual The Art Show Benefit Preview on Wednesday, November 3, drawing some of the nation's top collectors, museum leadership, philanthropists, and leading figures in the creative, entertainment, and business communities. Proceeds from the Benefit Preview and The Art Show admission throughout the week raised a total of approximately $1.2 million for Henry Street Settlement, bringing the total amount raised for the nonprofit to more than $34 million over the past three decades. AXA XL, a division of AXA, served as Lead Partner for The Art Show for the 10th consecutive year, marking a total of 13 years of partnership with the ADAA.

Launched with the 2021 edition, the fair's new website and online hub, TheArtShow.org, drew visitors from around the world, including China, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada. The site featured a range of preview and on-the-ground content from the fair, including over 25 videos and livestreamed programs, and dedicated exhibitor pages highlighting works from the fair and providing background on each presentation.

Best in Show Awards
For the second year, The Art Show Committee, comprised of ADAA members, selected "Best in Show" designees in recognition of those members whose presentations epitomize the connoisseurship and industry leadership of the ADAA membership. The 2021 winners are: Peter Freeman, Inc. for "Best in Show Booth" for its exhibition of new works by Brazilian artist Fernanda Gomes and Ricco/Maresca Gallery for "Best in Show" for its presentation of self-taught artist William Edmondson's Three Doves.

Collector and Institutional Attendance

Major collectors and VIPs visited on every day of the fair, including Iris Abrons, Sarah Arison, David Cross, Noa Fisher, Agnes Gund, J. Tomilson Hill, Luke Kirby, Fran Lebowitz, Judy and Leonard Lauder, Raymond Learsy, Sunita Mani, DeRay McKesson, Nicole Miller, Pilar Crespi Robert, Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Jack Shear, Jerry Speyer, and Ezra Williams, among others.

Also in attendance were leaders and patron groups from major institutions across the country including National Gallery of Art; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; High Museum of Art; Aspen Art Museum; moCa Cleveland; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Whitney Museum of American Art; The Morgan Library & Museum; Parrish Art Museum; The Newark Museum of Art; The Drawing Center; American Folk Art Museum; and Zimmerli Art Museum, among others.

Exhibiting ADAA members reported that the fair provided an important platform to showcase their programs and artists, and that they had meaningful interactions with collectors, museum leaders, industry experts, and arts enthusiasts, in addition to strong sales.

Garth Greenan, Founder of Garth Greenan Gallery said, "This is our first time at The Art Show, a fair I've been looking forward to my entire career as an art dealer. With its classy booths and works of the highest quality, this was a great opportunity for us to present the labor-intensive works of fourth-generation Navajo weaver Melissa Cody in her first ever dedicated solo show. On opening night, every institution was excited to meet her, and we now have a waiting list that is six deep for commissions of her work. It has been a pleasure to be here at The Art Show."

Donald Johnson Montenegro, Partner at Luhring Augustine stated, "We had a terrific response to Myrlande Constant's remarkable drapo Vodou works and placed all of the examples in our presentation in the first few hours of the opening reception on Wednesday night. This success at The Art Show is a highlight of an exciting year for Myrlande ahead of her upcoming survey exhibition at UCLA's Fowler Museum."

Sean Kelly, Founder of Sean Kelly added, "The response to Landon Metz's solo presentation of new paintings, created specifically for the ADAA Art Show, surpassed our expectations. Sales were brisk with the booth selling out quickly. The opening of the fair was excellent, with many prominent collectors, curators, and friends gathering to celebrate being at the fair in person."