Since 2015, Art Vancouver has been raising awareness of Western Canada’s art scene and inspiring a growing number of local, national and international arts communities through its annual Art Fair. This year, as the fair celebrates its seventh edition, it’s welcoming a slew of different artwork, mediums and mixed media offerings from more than 20 countries.
“Somehow the word has gotten out around the world that our show exists,” says fair founder, artist, curator and director Lisa Wolfin. “Exhibitors sign up from around the world and come out to participate in the show. People also come from around the world to see it—it’s really grown in awareness over the years.”
In conjunction with Art Vancouver, we take a look at the 2023 show and find out what attendees can expect on opening night, May 4th.
A Unique Collection
According to Wolfin, this year’s art fair includes more than 100 exhibitors from countries including Canada, USA, Korea, Iran, Japan, Kenya and Singapore. These galleries and artists apply to participate in the fair sometimes a year in advance, and are then selected through a jury process.
Unlike traditional art fairs, which are gallery-only, the Art Vancouver International Art Fair is open to individual artists. So while some artists covet a slot to showcase and sell their work, others are hoping to be picked up by galleries or agents. Considering British Columbia has the highest concentration of artists in the country with an estimated 24,800 artists, it’s one of Art Vancouver’s goals to give all artists and galleries an opportunity to gain more exposure.
Most of us don’t have the time or money to travel around the world to see, or let alone meet such an array of art and artists, but Art Vancouver makes this affordable and convenient to metaphorically travel the globe while staying under one roof,” says artist Taisha Teal, who is the VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the nonprofit organization Vancouver Visual Art Foundation, which produces the Art Vancouver event. She goes on to say “This is an opportunity for the art world to connect and for people to see the most amazing contemporary and modern art.”
Wolfin has a myriad of stories about individuals whose careers took off after getting their start at the fair. Notably, California’s Skyler Grey was just 15 years old when he entered. His work eventually sold for more than $60,000 in galleries, he was commissioned by Ferrari for an ad campaign, and Forbes named him one of 30 under 30 to watch in 2017. Today, he’s known as “The Fresh Prince of Art.”
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“One painting sold last year for $120,000,” Wolfin adds, but there are also many pieces to choose from at all price ranges that make this an attractive venue for any budget. People have been asked to do murals or decorate or make paintings for entire homes. One exhibitor sold every one of their paintings to a single client.”
Accessible Art for Everyone
While the Art Vancouver International Art Fair can be game-changing for exhibitors, it’s also a place for art lovers to gather and celebrate in an accessible way. The opening-night red carpet gala, in which attendees “dress to express” themselves in the most unique ways, it features The Face of Art runway show that connects the artist’s face to their work as they strut their stuff to a standing room only audience! In addition there are artist talks, a live-painting competition, speaker panels, art classes.
“Art, for a lot of people, is intimidating, because they may feel they have to have some kind of education or knowledge about art in order to appreciate it. But that’s not true at all,” says Art Vancouver’s Kathy van Gogh, who is a distant relative of Vincent van Gogh.
“The whole purpose of art is to connect one human to another. Anyone—even a child—can come to Art Vancouver and be exposed to thousands of artworks. We also have a lot of really fun events that take away the intimidation.”
She cites the live painting events and competitions, which can include artists creating with “all kinds of wild tools.”
This year there is also an expert panel titled AI Art: A New Era, which takes place Saturday afternoon. During the hour long discussion, experts tackle the emergence of artificial intelligence in art and discuss its impact on the industry, as well as what it means to the concept of original art.
“Art has an ability to connect totally different cultures and people who would not otherwise connect,” van Gogh adds. “It’s just so powerful. That’s why I think anyone who loves art should attend this art fair.”
The Art Vancouver International Art Fair runs from May 4 to 7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Art Vancouver.