By Elizabeth Ladzinski
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN WEST — For the past decade, the Affordable Art Fair has given art enthusiasts a way to grow their collections while staying on a budget — and this year, it has a new focus: women.
"Art X Women," is a special section of nine galleries that will feature work only from female artists.
"Right now there's a growing enthusiasm and interest in work by women artists, and following up on some really great shows recently featuring women artists, we wanted to help further the cause because they do tend to be underrepresented in galleries," said art fair director Judith Pineiro.
She explained that although more women are earning arts degrees, men are still predominantly represented in galleries.
The fair, which will start Thursday at 7 West 34th St., will host talks about collecting art made by women, talks with artists discussing their process, and walking tours of the featured galleries.
The Affordable Art Fair is an important way for both new artists to gain exposure and for young collectors to enter the market.
"There's a lot of collectors that are coming and looking for emerging artists, artists that they may not see on a normal basis, so it's really a win-win for everyone," Pineiro said, adding that a third of the exhibitors are from overseas.
Although the artworks in the show are affordable when compared to major pieces that can fetch millions, many of the pieces can still be pricey.
One of the most inexpensive pieces for sale is a 18-by-14 inch screenprint on canvas titled "Larry Stands 5'7"" by Nick Morris, priced at $290. More than a dozen other works are priced less than $500, while the majority of works, including paintings and sculptures, will cost less than $5,000.
The fair was founded in 1999 in London, and now organizers hold events in nine locations throughout the world including Melbourne, Milan, Paris and Amsterdam.
Free admission will be available on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The fair will end at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Affordable Art Fair runs from May 5 to May 8, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
