It did not run last year while refurbishments took place at its venue, Chelsea Old Town Hall. Last month, a message on its website announced that the event, a division of Penman Fairs, would not return.
It says: “Most regrettably two other art events running at the same time were able to provide booking details well before Chelsea’s new details and costs were available. Thus many previous exhibitors felt it prudent to book the other fairs in case Chelsea did not run. Now that sad fact has come to pass.
“It is doubtful that the Chelsea Art Fair will re-emerge, but Penman’s will look into possibilities for the future.”
Founded in 1995, it is organised by Ben Cooper (also of BBC’s Bargain Hunt). The last staging in 2017 hosted 35 UK dealers offering modern and contemporary art.
