With just 22 days to go until the doors open for Auckland Art Fair 2009, we are full speed ahead making sure everything is in place to show the best contemporary artists from New Zealand and Australia.

The 2009 Fair promises to be an incredible event with some stunning works heading our way from the leading galleries from both sides of the Tasman. Every day we receive new images from the participating galleries and are excited about the work to be unveiled on Thursday 30 April at the Hesketh Henry Vernissage – the first opportunity the public get to see (and buy) the works on display.

Most exciting for us in the Auckland office is having both New Zealand representatives to the Venice Biennale 2009, Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard, being shown at the Fair, together with a host of previous Biennale representatives from New Zealand and Australia (including ex-pat Kiwi Daniel Von Sturmer).

Travel arrangements for our keynote speaker Don Thompson have now been finalised and he heads to New Zealand in the next couple of weeks. We’re looking forward to hearing his views on the economics of art collecting.

Also this week, we’ve received the first advance copies of the official catalogue ‘New Art Now’, which this year has been published by Random House and we are absolutely thrilled with the results.

We hope you have been enjoying our daily bulletin ‘Around the Art World in 30 Days’ which will continue every working day right up until the day we open. And look out for our stunning Auckland Art Fair 09 billboards around Auckland city featuring some of the artwork on show at the Fair.

Have a great Easter break.

Jennifer Buckley
Director, Auckland Art Fair

The Hesketh Henry Vernissage, Auckland Art Fair’s exclusive gala opening, is the signature function of New Zealand’s premier visual arts event. This all-inclusive evening of art, entertainment, premium wines, canapés followed by a buffet style supper is not just another function – It’s a big art night out!

Be among the first to view Auckland Art Fair 09 and gather a group together to engage in lively debate with friends, colleagues and clients while you explore exhibitions by New Zealand and Australia’s leading artists.

Thursday 30 April 7pm – 11pm
Tickets: single $125; Group of six $650 (save $100); Group of 10 $1000 (save $250).

Book at: www.iticket.co.nz and follow instructions for group bookings.

Auckland Art Fair’s official catalogue ‘New Art Now’ (published by Random House) will be officially launched at the Hesketh Henry Vernissage.

The catalogue features essays by Gregory O’Brien, Justin Clemens, Blair French, Rosemary Forde and Simon Rees offering a lively survey of the arts scene in New Zealand and Australia, together with information on all the galleries participating in the 2009 Fair. The book is priced at $34.99 and will be available for sale at Auckland Art Fair 2009.

thank you.

Auckland Art Fair would like to acknowledge the support of the ASB Community Trusts in the production of this e-news.

For more information about Auckland Art Fair 09 click here