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| 16th SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Celebrating its 16th year, SOFA CHICAGO 2009, the critically acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, returns to Navy Pier's Festival Hall (600 E. Grand Avenue) Nov. 6 – 8 to present work from 90 international galleries and dealers. The Chicago fair will also feature special exhibits by internationally renowned museums and arts organizations, as well an extensive lecture series, all included in the admission price. And new this year! SOLO at SOFA, a special sector of the show floor devoted to one-person SOLO shows presented by galleries exhibiting in the Fair. "Extraordinary works of art are marked by sophisticated content and mastery of material. The international dealers at SOFA CHICAGO recognize virtuosity of mind, skill and material, presenting cutting-edge, three-dimensional masterworks rising to this level of excellence, " says Mark Lyman, founding director of SOFA. "We're also very excited about SOLO at SOFA, designed to spotlight dealers' up-and-coming artists." Lyman and partner Michael Franks, Chief Operating Officer, dmg world media, recently reacquired the SOFA Fairs in Chicago, New York and Santa Fe, NM from dmg. Headquarters for the new company, The Art Fair Company, Inc. remain in Chicago. Lyman adds, "Attesting to SOFA's strong collector base, we're delighted that Chubb Personal Insurance, one of the world's preeminent insurers of fine homes, art and antiques, has again signed on to be a major sponsor of the Chicago fair." SOFA CHICAGO 2009 exhibitors to-date include: Litvak Gallery of Israel; Galleri Udengaard and Galleri Grønlund of Denmark; Galleri Norsu of Finland; Kirra Gallery of Australia; Galerie Porkona of Czechoslovakia; Heller Gallery, Scott Jacobson Gallery (formerly Leo Kaplan Modern), Alistair Crawford Contemporary and Charon Kransen Arts of New York City; Perimeter Gallery, Ann Nathan Gallery and Marx-Saunders Gallery of Chicago; Holsten Galleries of Stockbridge, MA; del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles; William Zimmer Gallery, Mendocino, CA; Bullseye Gallery, Portland, OR; Blue Rain Gallery and Jane Sauer Gallery of Santa Fe, NM. SOFA CHICAGO 2009 will again produce an exclusive VIP Program for upper-level gallery clients and collector groups which includes visits to private collectors' homes, as well as behind-the-scenes curator-led tours of museums and corporate collections. Special Exhibits to be mounted by international arts organizations confirmed to-date include the Association of Israel's Decorative Arts (AIDA), which two years ago presented the hugely popular Offering Reconciliation exhibit featured in the international press; the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts; American Association of Woodturners; and BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass, presented by Ohio State University and Hawk Galleries. Returning again by popular demand is the Corning Museum of Glass' Hot Glass Roadshow, a mobile glassblowing studio. The SOFA Lecture Series will again feature top museum curators, professional art advisors, artists, collectors, interior designers, critics and art market journalists who will share their professional and personal experiences in the field. Speakers to date include Janet Koplos, former Senior Editor, Art in America, now Editor of American Craft; Italian artist Andrea Salvador, Berengo Collection; ceramic artist Kurt Weiser, Ferrin Gallery; glass artists Giles Bettison, Jane Sauer Gallery, and Vaclav Cigler, Litvak Gallery; Chicago architect George Larsen on a recent trip to Iran with Geoffrey Orley & Bahram Shabahang, Orley & Shabahang; a presentation by the Chicago Conservation Center and more! The SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Opening Night Preview Gala, much anticipated by collectors, museum curators, art advisors, interior designers and architects, artists and cognoscenti is scheduled for Thursday evening, Nov. 5. Over 2600 persons jammed last year's opening which offers first viewing and best selection of outstanding master works, as well as the opportunity to meet and mingle with leading members of the art and design communities. The public is invited to enjoy, study and acquire top quality art examples at this Preview Gala from 7 to 9 p.m. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Exhibition News :: home page |