With the doors to Affordable Art Fair Melbourne opening very soon (5 – 8 September, Royal Exhibition Building), here’s your go-to guide to the top installations, attractions and interactive activities at the inaugural fair. Don’t miss out on any of the action – take 5 minutes to read this blog and join in with all the fun!

TOP ATTRACTIONS AT AFFORDABLE ART FAIR MELBOURNE

1. you want art? we’ve got it in spades.

Our family of over 50 galleries from Australia and beyond, will be unveiling over 1,000 artworks all exhibited under the roof of the Royal Exhibition Building. With each original work priced between AU$100 and AU$12,000 – there is sure to be the perfect piece, no matter what your taste, space or budget is. To whet your appetite for everything arty, check out our Art Preview.

2. OUR SPECIAL PROJECTS WILL KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES THROUGHOUT THE FAIR

Alongside our fabulous galleries, we have a feast for your senses with our roster of special projects .   The Special Projects platform is designed to help artists broaden their scale and realise new and exciting art experiences – concepts they have long thought about but not been given the chance to realise in real life!  Witness mural painting, , steel canine sculptures, digital portraiture, body painting performances and even a live art ATM – there is something for all ages! For the full run down and to find out more about purchasing art through an live ATM click here.

3. ART UNDER AU$1,000

For twenty years, the Affordable Art Fair has helped over half a million artworks find happy homes around the world. From the very first fair in London’s Battersea Park, in October 1999, our Fair Founder Will Ramsay has been championing the same core ethos – accessibility and transparency. So, we are delighted to bring you a special collection of artworks priced under AU$1,000.  These affordable artworks will be marked with a hot pink sticker – so keep your eyes peeled as you walk around the fair! Get a sneak peek here.

4. INTERNATIONAL GALLERIES

Hailing from Thailand to Tokyo, UK to USA, these expert expat galleries have everything arty for you to peruse. From popping paintings, to stunning sculptures, perfect prints and even celebrated works from K-Pop artist Kwon Ji An (above)! Find out more here.

5. HOME GROWN GALLERIES

One of the best things about launching a new Affordable Art Fair is being able to grow our family of galleries, discover a new and exciting roster of artists and connect both our expert galleries and their 1000s of artworks with a new art-loving audience. Head to our blog to read more on our home grown galleries including Fox Galleries, West End Art Space, Art to Art, Tacit Galleries, Tusk Galleries – and that’s just to name a few.

6. JOIN IN AT OUR CREATIVE HUB

Our Creative Hub will help you unleash your inner-artist with a range of inspiring and interactive activities. This year’s theme is art and wellness, and we’ve worked closely with art therapists and charities to design a programme that will help you express your emotions, while enjoying the relaxing process of creating art.  Join us for interactive activities such as Mindful Colouring and Shred it or Save it, which will be held for the duration of the fair.

MINDFUL COLOURING

Looking to unplug and unwind? With patterns designed to celebrate the Affordable Art Fair 20th Anniversary (yes, 20 years! We can hardly believe it too!), immerse yourself in some mindful colouring.

SHRED IT OR SAVE IT!

Inspired by that famous Banksy auction, create an artwork to record a feeling or moment in your life, then decide if you want to shred it through our specially designed art frame or take your masterpiece home with you.

7. ART FOCUS: YOUNG TALENT VICTORIA

We’re delighted to unveil our five Melbourne Young Talent artists, whose work will make up a unique, curated exhibition designed to showcase the immense talent from across the state.  The emerging artist scene is one of the most exciting of any creative city, filled with a sense of exploration and freedom. It’s no wonder that our Young Talent exhibitions around the world are some of the most popular features of our fairs.  Five rising stars from Melbourne and Victoria will have affordable original artworks for sale – get in quick! To learn more about our 5 talented artists, head to our blog.

8. INDULGE IN OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERING

Finally, the delicious food and drinks options at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne will ensure visitors don’t suffer from art ‘fair-tigue.’ We only work with the best food, drink and coffee partners to make the whole fair experience enjoyable and delicious. Whether you are looking for a glass of Peter Lehmann’s reisling to wander the gallery stands with, or prefer to power-up with a warm drink from our chai latte bar – the fair will provide the very best culinary experience for foodies.

So, what are you waiting for? With the Affordable Art Fair marking its 20th anniversary in 2019, we can’t wait to celebrate by launching a new fun-filled fair – perfect for art-lovers from Melbourne and beyond. Sign up to our mailing list and mark the date in your diary (5 – 8 September, Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building) as this is a not-to-be-missed event.

Pssssst… if you buy your tickets in advance, you’ll skip the queues! 

Looking for the best deal on tickets? Join the mailing list to receive a personal ticket offer!

Main Image:
An art collector snaps up a stunning work at the New York fair.

Featured art from first to last:
Shannyn Price, Sweet Melody 2019, 122 x 122 x 4 cm, mixed media, AU$3,400, Retrospect-Galleries.
Our special projects will keep you on your toes throughout the fair.
Stacey Mrmacovski, Place of Presence VII, 2019, 32 x 32, AU$690, Manyung Gallery.
Kwon Ji-An, Red, 2017, Jinsan Gallery.
Laura White, The Bottle Collector, 2018, oil, 90 x 60 cm, AU$1,400, Art to Art.
Shred It or Save It at the Creative Hub.
Emily Eliades, Young Talent Victoria exhibitor in the studio.
Enjoy delicious food and beverages at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne.