My First Fair: IFPDA Print Fair

by Lacy Tell

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the IFPDA Print Fair at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City.

For over 25 years, the International Fine Print Dealers Association hosts this event to promote prints of original works to be sold to collectors, curators, and art fanatics. This year, 89 galleries from across the country had booths set up where they were selling their prints to the public. It was exciting to see two Boston based galleries present at the fair, Childs Gallery and Barbara Krakow Gallery. A general admission ticket was $20. The event ran from Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8.  

I was overwhelmed with excitement when I walked into the doors of the fair. It was very crowded, filled with art enthusiasts such as myself. My personal favorite were Pace Prints, New York and Two Palms, New York. I could not take my eyes off of Pace’s self-portrait of Chuck Close. It is intensely realistic for an oil on canvas. I felt like I was looking at a photograph. I was also drawn to the prints by Mel Bochner. He is able to incorporate a connection to language and the visual art world.  

I enjoyed this print fair in particular because there were a broad range of prices that were approachable to even a new collector. The fair had prints that ranged from under $1,000 to over $1 Million, as reported by Artsy. This further establishes our belief that anyone should be able to access art.  

Wednesday, November 11, 2015: Lacy Tell