Art Market Hamptons fair postponed until 2024

Art Market Hamptons, the art fair held every summer in the popular beach season destination for many wealthy New Yorkers, has cancelled its 2023 edition and will hold its next edition in August 2024.

A spokesperson for the fair, which would have been in its 13th year near Bridgehampton, New York—roughly an hour outside of Manhattan—said the decision was made due to “unforeseen logistical issues”.

“Fair organisers decided that it would be in the best interests of our gallery partners and the attending patrons to postpone, and instead focus our efforts on making 2024 even better,” the representative said in a statement.

Art Market Hamptons was previously known as Market Art + Design and held at a pavilion at the Bridgehampton Museum. In 2022, the fair moved to Nova’s Ark Project and Sculpture Park, and around 90 galleries set up stands in a temporary structure on the grounds. The fair’s first edition under its new name and in the new location drew nearly 10,000 visitors over its four-day run.

Galleries and auction houses began expanding their footprints in the Hamptons during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, chasing clients who left New York City for more space and nature during lockdowns. Major galleries that opened popups and seasonal outposts in Southampton, East Hampton and other communities on Long Island’s South Fork included Hauser & Wirth, Pace, Van de Weghe Fine Art and Skarstedt. Christie’s, Phillips and Sotheby’s have also put on summertime exhibitions in the area over the past few years.

Even before Covid-19 the Hamptons, which has long been a favoured area for both the collector class and renowned artists, was home to a group of established dealers including Eric Firestone, Ross + Kramer and Harper’s Books.