Sydney Exhibitor Guide

We want to introduce you to the perks of exhibiting at Affordable Art Fair Sydney; an event that not only boosts accessibility to the arts but also helps galleries to reach new potential buyers. Read on to find out why we host an art fair in this dynamic city, and what the exhibiting experience could bring for your business.

Why Sydney?

Whatever the season, whatever the economy, Sydneysiders will make buying art a priority. Shopping is entrenched in the culture, which speaks to the quick purchases and spontaneity we see in the buying patterns of our Sydney visitors. This is a huge pull for galleries who choose to exhibit in Sydney – perhaps the most iconic of Australian cities – alongside its light, colourful atmosphere and, of course, the sprawling beaches. If you fancy a dip before a day of showcasing your art, Sydney is the best place for it!

As a global city, Sydney attracts a global audience. Often, we find that visitors have heard of Affordable Art Fair in other cities such as London, Hong Kong or Singapore, and have already fallen in love with the brand. We’re recognised as a vibrant, immersive event where visitors can get caught up in the fun of the day. In 2023, we welcomed over 11,000 visitors to the fair, generating $3.5m in art sales. This speaks to the trust felt by our visitors in buying art with us as opposed to elsewhere.

First impressions of the fair

Arriving at the Royal Randwick Racecourse always offers a feeling of excitement. The Winx Pavilion, in particular, is a great venue for hosting an art fair. Central and modern, the brand new architecture perfectly suits a setting for contemporary art. The balcony looks out over lush green space, where visitors can enjoy a glass of bubbles with a view. As soon as you enter the fair, you’re immediately absorbed by the art.

We’re close to the leafy areas of Centennial Park, which contributes to the outside feeling of the fair as well as the buzz of Paddington. which contributes to the outside feeling of the fair. Despite enjoying the accessibility benefits of being close to the city, it feels as though you’ve taken a restorative step away. This only adds the open flow of our Randwick venue, which is right on the Light rail, and has plenty of outdoor areas where you can catch some fresh air between selling art.

Who are our audience?

It’s almost impossible to live in Sydney and not have a deep-rooted appreciation for art. The big windows and natural light of both the houses and apartments suits an art-filled interior perfectly. Sydneysiders take great care of their homes and want to bring beauty in to reflect their interior styles and love for life by the ocean. Everyone wants to be close to the water, following the coast, so we often see visitors leaning towards blue hues, beach scenes and pool imagery. That being said, there’s a huge range in what people buy. From affordable prints to huge, large-scale wall-fillers, the cross-section of confident buyers means that a wide range of galleries can do well.

This confidence makes our Sydney visitors the most ‘social buyers’ of all our fairs. Whilst people tend to stay in their suburbs, when they do venture elsewhere they want to make a day of it. Visitors will spend all day at our fair, getting dressed up with friends and family who want to buy art together, and often tempt each other to make purchases. You won’t need to sell too hard in Sydney; our buyers are both confident in their tastes and in the process of acquiring art.

Fair Director and Asia Pacific Regional Managing Director, Stephanie Kelly’s, top tips for success:

Bring a variety of sizes. Don’t hedge your bets on one size of artwork. Make sure you’ve got multiple pieces for everybody, and every home.

Consider points of interest. Encourage clients into your stand by showcasing a cross section of work. Could you curate a wall of work under $500? Whilst we have plenty of buyers comfortable with the top end of the price ceiling, highlighting more affordable pieces helps to bring people into your stand initially.

Be warm and approachable. Talk to people and maintain an open presence. Our buyers much prefer informal chat over ‘salesy’ speak.