12th SOFA NEW YORK: APRIL 16 – 19, 2009
NEW DATES FOR PARK AVENUE ARMORY
Stronger Placement on International Art Fair Calendar
In Response to Collectors, Curators and Dealers Needs

World's Foremost Fair
of Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design

NEW YORK, AUGUST 20, 2008. In response to requests from major collectors, museum curators and international dealers, the 12th annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair: SOFA NEW YORK at the Park Avenue Armory is now slated for April 16-19, 2009, moving from its former Memorial Day weekend dates. The opening night gala is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

“These new dates strongly position us on the international art calendar and do not conflict with any major art fairs as well as the important Passover and Easter holidays,” says Mark Lyman, Founder/Director of SOFA and Vice-President of dmg world media Art & Antiques division.

Lyman will repeat the successful Opening Night format used in the last SOFA NEW YORK, when he revamped the evening from an exclusive invitation-only vernissage to a party open to the public by ticket purchase. At the last SOFA NEW YORK evening gala, a total of 2,600 packed the aisles and Armory officials reported the crowds were the largest for any art fair ever on their historic premises. Dealers reported unparalleled sales, with a number achieving six figure prices for a single art work, further confirming the importance of the evening to major collectors. On the fair floor were senior staff members of such financial and corporate firms as UBS, HSBC, Chubb and AXA Fine Art Insurance as well as prominent museum trustees, directors and curators.

Collector in the Clare Beck at Adrian Sassoon booth at the SOFA NEW YORK 2008 Opening Night Preview

“With that new format, I experienced unprecedented sales,” says Barry Friedman, who commands an 18,000 square foot gallery in Chelsea. London dealer Clare Beck with Adrian Sassoon witnessed their sales climb more than 70 percent at the last SOFA NEW YORK.

“The change of dates means dealers will no longer have to deal with the prospect of important clients missing the fair as they leave town for the Hamptons, Europe and elsewhere when SOFA was scheduled in late May,” says Lyman. “Feedback from the dealers and collectors is extremely positive about the date change.” he says. “We anticipate a great show with an expanded VIP program of exclusive tours to private collectors’ homes and behind the scenes, curator led tours of museums, along with a larger and richer lecture series and our Design Committee of leading architects and interior designers.”

The 15th SOFA CHICAGO will be held November 7 – 9, 2008 at historic Navy Pier. Opening Night Public Preview is Thursday, November 6. For more information, call 800.563.7632.