There has been a watercolours fair in London for the past two decades. Since it was relaunched six years ago by its present owners, London picture dealers Rupert Maas and Julian Hartnoll along with professional organiser Richard Hodgson, the fair has been held at the Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly.
However, the Park Lane Hotel is known as a very expensive venue and, although in the past it has proved popular with fair organisers, they have usually found an alternative.
Mr Maas told the Antiques Trade Gazette: “This new venue will give a fresh appeal to our traditional and friendly fair as we celebrate our 20th year. We have recently attracted more dealers showing modern and contemporary picttures and the clean and uncluttered space at 6 Burlington Gardens suits these exhibitors. It also gives us room to expand.”
With the shortage of suitable venues for quality fairs in central London, the Royal Academy’s Burlington Gardens premises, which previously housed the Museum of Mankind, is proving much in demand.
Dates were revealed last week for the new London international art fair to be held at the Burlington Gardens location next summer. As yet unnamed, the fair will run from June 4 to 12, shortly before the Grosvenor House fair opens to the public on June 15.
The Antiques Trade Gazette broke the news of the forthcoming show in issue 1658 dated September 25 and while precise details have still to be finalised the event is already attracting much interest from top art dealers.
RA fairs news at the double
NEXT year’s Watercolour and Drawings Fair will move to a new venue, the Royal Academy rooms at 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1, where it will run from February 3 to 6 with an opening evening preview on February 2.
