Art advice
Maximise Your Fair Experience: Trip Planning and Sydney Itinerary
Discover how to make the most of you Affordable Art Fair experience with our comprehensive trip planning itinerary to our latest Sydney event.
Victoria Barns
Wednesday 5 June, 2024
The Affordable Art Fair is an immersive experience that promises to ignite your creativity and leave you inspired. From the moment you step into the luxurious WINX Stand, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant tapestry of colours, textures, and stories waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re an avid art collector or simply looking for a unique day out, this fair has something for everyone.
Let’s dive into what makes this event truly special and plan the perfect trip to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the magic. Read on to discover everything you need to know to make the most of your visit!
New to the Fair: Interactive Art and Hyperreal Sculpture
As you wander through the fair, catch a glimpse of our incredible Artists in Action. Here, diverse techniques and live painting demonstrations will captivate your senses and offer a rare glimpse into the artistic process. This year, the ground floor of the fair will feature a moody and romantic oil painters studio, giving visitors the opportunity to get closer to the timeless tradition of fine painting. For the full list of our Artists in Action head to our Guide to the Sydney Fair.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Make sure to swing by the Art ATM, where the talented Jackie Case will create custom five-minute sketches that you can cherish forever. These bespoke artworks are the perfect fair memento or a unique gift for someone special.
Take a moment to marvel at the ‘Cosmic Rift’ installation by the esteemed Gallipoli Prize winner E.L.K alongside artists from Art Garages. Capturing the essence of the universe’s grandeur and mystery, this artwork can be located on the second level of our fair.
Next, find your way to Paul Trefry’s thought-provoking sculptures. His pieces are renowned for their intricate details and powerful social commentary. Returning to his roots in Randwick, make sure to see Paul’s uncanny and inpressive artworks up close!
Best Eats at the Fair
The Lemon Lounge x Nell Symonds offers a delightful space to relax and refresh. Amidst beautifully curated artworks, you can enjoy a selection of refreshments that perfectly complement the vibrant atmosphere. While sipping on an old-fashioned lemonade and savouring a lemon meringue, watch our campaign artist paint a bold new artwork. The Lemon Lounge is the perfect spot to take a break and reflect on the myriad of inspiring pieces you’ve encountered.
Picture yourself sipping on a hot cappuccino while seated in our board game-inspired cafe surrounded by playful artwork that will delight your inner child. The Monopoly Cafe x Ben Tankard is more than just a place to eat—it’s a celebration of a local artist’s works and a playful twist to a menu of favourite fair feeds.
Capture the Moment: Best Spots for Photos
As you step into our fair, you’ll find picture-perfect opportunities at every corner. Make sure to see these prime spots to snap a memorable moment at the fair this year.
1. ‘Lil Dusty’, a large-scale inflatable sculpture by Dion Parker, is a fun location for a photo with friends at the entrance of the fair. From the moment you walk in, it sets an upbeat tone for the entire day.
2. The Terrace is another picture-perfect spot we recommend for a snap with a sweeping view! You won’t want to miss the chance to snap a pic here, especially during the golden hours of sunset when the light is simply magical.
3. Snap a photo in the colourful aisles of the fair, which feature thousands of bright artworks. As you stroll through, let your camera capture the vibrant essence of creativity.
4. Our campaign wall is an Instagram favourite. Snap a selfie in front of this crowd-pleaser and join the countless visitors who’ve turned this spot into a social media souvenir of their fair adventures!
Navigating the Fair: Mini Route Guides
One of the highlights of the fair is the diverse range of artworks available. Plan your day to ensure you don’t miss any of these incredible categories!
Simply click on a route below to reveal our suggested must-see stops.
Route 1: Emerging Artists: Discover fresh talent and bold new styles from artists on the rise.
1. Revival Art and Design Gallery holds an annual Emerging Artists Prize, in which the winner’s artworks are exhibited and sold at the Affordable Art Fair! This prize not only spotlights raw and innovative talent but also serves as a launching pad for artists to gain recognition and build their careers.
2. Rooted in the belief that every individual possesses the capacity for growth and transformation through artistic expression, REBIRTH curates an environment where emerging talent flourishes. An eclectic mix of young artists, this collective offers a dynamic selection of artworks from neon street art to pop-nostalgic pixel paintings.
3. Discover: Young Talent Sydney’s line-up is dedicated to showcasing the freshest and most exciting emergent artists on the scene today. These hand-selected young visionaries are pushing boundaries, creating works that are visually stunning, thought-provoking, and deeply engaging. Stop by this booth for intricate glass sculptures, miniature drawings, innovative ceramics and beautiful paintings.
Route 2: Established Names: Admire pieces by renowned artists who are excellent in their chosen mediums
1. Sally Stokes’s abstract work will be coming to the Sydney fair with Gallery Alchemy. Painting out of John Olsen’s studio, she was in Australia’s top 100 collectable artists last year.
2. Kean Onn See, Archibald finalist, was recently accepted into the Blake and Wynne Prizes and will be coming to the fair with Sarah Birtles Art + Advice.
3. Two-time Archibald prize finalist Sally Ryan will be coming to the fair with the Hamley Studio of Fine Art.
4. ART GARAGES will be bringing artist E.L.K, Gallipoli prize winner and Archibald prize finalist.
Route 3: Affordable Gems: Explore beautiful works that fit your budget without compromising on quality or impact.
1. Known for its iconic ‘little feature wall’, Aspire Gallery curates a wonderful selection of small but mighty artworks perfect for a saloon-style hang!
2. The Toowoomba Gallery drew a crowd at our Brisbane fair earlier this year with a bright hang of artworks under $1000. With artworks from landscapes to still lifes at varying price points, a budget-conscious buyer is sure to be delighted at the range on offer.
3. Gallery 11:11 is a New South Wales-based gallery with lots of bold and collectable works under $500 that would appeal to collectors of all tastes.
Family Fun: What can my kids do?
Wanting to inspire the next generation of art lovers, children under 16 can come to the fair completely free! A hub of colour and fun, spend the day surrounded by the best of Australia’s art scene in a warm and welcoming environment.
An unmissable stop for creative families, the Children’s Art Studio x Dion Parker, offers little artists the opportunity to create their own masterpieces against a backdrop of dinosaurs and rabbits. With complimentary face painting for kids, this playful activation is a favourite for the young (and young at heart)!
Is your little one a fussy eater? Not to worry; we’ve taken into consideration the tastes of our young art aficionados. From winter warmers like toasted cheese fingers to healthy snacks of carrot and hummus, keep an eye out at any of our food outlets for the children’s menu.
Miss the Vivid Crowds: Travel Tips and Parking
Are you thinking of going to Vivid? We have a little secret to avoid those hefty city parking fees! By starting your art adventure at the Affordable Art Fair, you can utilise The Royal Randwick’s multi-deck Ascot Street car park at a flat rate of just $10 per day. Then, simply catch public transport directly into the city. The car park closes at 11:00 pm each evening. Remember, it’s cashless payment only!
Public transportation can be hassle-free option to get to and from the fair. Our fair venue is well-connected with the light rail’s Royal Randwick stop on Alison Road. Services run regularly from 5am until 1am on weekdays and weekends.
Plenty of regular route buses also run between the City and Eastern Suburbs via Anzac Parade and Alison Road to get you to Randwick Racecourse including Routes 339, 373, 374, 376 and 377.
We also suggest looking into rideshare options, which can drop you right at the front door, eliminating the need to find parking altogether.
For more on travel visit our handy FAQs Page.
Shopping at Affordable Art Fair
There is something for everyone at the Affordable Art Fair, with 1000s of artworks priced between $100 – $10,000. With art for every taste, space and spend, visit the carefully curated selections presented by our 55+ expert galleries to see what’s on offer.
Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of art and hesitated because of budget constraints? With a warm and welcoming philosophy to the fair, feel comfortable discussing with our friendly galleries what options are available to you. They may have a smaller artwork by the same artist hidden in on-site storage!
Got your day planned? Come see what we are raving about in person at the WINX Stand, Royal Randwick Racecourse this 13 – 16 June. With so many artworks under one roof and arty activities to fill your day, secure your tickets now to join the fun!
