By GirlFriday:
Let the submissions begin!!! The echo Art Fair is currently inviting all artists and galleries to apply to be a part of the third annual art fair. This year the fair is seeing remarkable growth as well. While last summer, in its sophomore year, echo drew over 10,000 visitors to its 17,000 sq’ exhibition space, throughout the 2-day fair. However, this September 7th and 8th there will be an increase, and change in, space (see here), adding an additional 8,000 sq’ of exhibition space, thereby drastically changing the number of potential participants and works to be displayed, admired, and sold.
According to echo founder, E. Frits Abell, “Fine artists of all disciplines–from painting to sculpture to video to mixed media–are encouraged to apply. While the fair is open to artists and dealers based internationally, the majority come from the WNY region (87% at echo ’12). We had a significant uptick in participation by Toronto-based dealers last year, and we hope that that trend continues–it helps to fortify the entire Toronto-Hamilton-Buffalo-Rochester region. We are also increasing our outreach to artists and dealers in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Albany; we are working hard to position this as an important regional fine art event.”
Furthermore, “The choice of the Library as a venue is ideal,” Abell continued. “It is larger than our previous venues, will be a raw, open space, it is well-ventilated and well lit-with floor-to-ceiling windows, and it is ideally situated in downtown Buffalo. Exhibitors will be very pleased with the space. The Library’s large entry-plaza, beautiful sight lines, and iconic mid-century architecture offer a wealth of potential for site-specific installations, particularly those that engage design or architecture themes.”
Along with the call for exhibitors, there is also a request for site-specific installation projects that operate outside of, but complement nonetheless, the juried art fair. Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center will coordinate these site-specific proposals. Finally, echo Art Fair welcomes artists of all media, including visual media and design works, temporary installations, temporary architectural interventions, time based media, musical, dance, theatre and sound performances to create site and event specific temporary displays in and around the public areas of the Central Library. The submission period for both juried and non-juried works, started on March 4th, and runs until May 17th (midnight, EST), and you can find the complete guide lines at www.echoartfair.com.
Jurors selecting this year’s exhibitors are: Tony Bannon, Executive Director, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo; JaxDeluca, Executive Director, Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo; Doug Dreishpoon, Chief Curator, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo; Roberta Joseph, collector, Buffalo; Jonathan D. Katz, independent curator and Associate Professor of Visual Studies, University at Buffalo: and Maria Via, Director of Exhibitions, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester.