Your Guide to Affordable Art Fair Melbourne

There is so much to see and do at the highly anticipated third edition of Affordable Art Fair Melbourne (31 August – 3 September) at the iconic Royal Exhibition Building. Whether you have two hours, or two days at the fair, read on for our guide to making the most of your visit.

1. Artful Delights in Abundance

Our Melbourne fair is back, and it’s even better than ever. Get ready to explore a diverse range of artwork spanning across various styles and mediums. With over 50 galleries from Australia and beyond, you’ll have the opportunity to discover thousands of original artworks, each thoughtfully priced between AU$100 and AU$10,000. Have a blank wall at home to fill? Now is the chance to discover the joy of collecting art.

Can’t wait to take your artwork home? Take advantage of our complimentary wrapping services provided by Grace Fine Art throughout the duration of the fair.   

2. Artists in Action  

Curious about the magic of art-making? Don’t miss the chance to witness it firsthand! While perusing the fair aisles, you’ll encounter multiple artists in action displaying a wide array of styles and techniques from sculpture to painting with a palette knife. This is a unique opportunity to peek behind the creative process curtain and appreciate the mastery that goes into each brushstroke or spin of the pottery wheel.

Don’t worry – if you fall in love with their artworks you can head over to their gallery’s stand to purchase one for yourself.

3. Breakfast with Home Beautiful Editor in Chief Elle Lovelock  

Join Elle Lovelock, Home Beautiful’s Editor in Chief in an intimate group breakfast at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne on Friday the 1 September as she shares her tips and tricks to having art in your home. From bold abstracts to understated still lifes, art can make a house a home. With guidance on how to pick the size of an artwork, to how to decide on a colour palette – this is the perfect way to start your art collecting day at Affordable Art Fair.  

Spaces are limited for this exclusive event, so snap up your ticket now and don’t miss out. 

4. Large-scale Sculpture

Alongside our fabulous galleries, we’re bringing a selection of Australian sculptures to the Royal Exhibition Building. Affordable Art Fair is proud to partner with the ARTPark to bring Australian sculptures for you to experience while at our fair. Get up close to a diverse range of artworks by sculptors specialising in traditional mediums and methods, including carving and forging.

5. Keep an eye out for our Under $1,000 and Under $500 stickers  

A highlight of visiting an Affordable Art Fair is searching through thousands of artworks on your hunt for the perfect piece. There is something for every taste, space and spend – and we make it easy for you to find a piece in your budget with our handy Under AU$1,000 and Under AU$500 pink stickers. Keep your eyes peeled for these as you walk around the fair!  

6. Discover: Young Talent  

Affordable Art Fair Melbourne is proud to reintroduce its much-anticipated Discover: Young Talent platform, showcasing four unrepresented artists who have been selected for their innovative and exciting approach to their practice.

This curated selection of available works by young artists offers an ideal opportunity for collectors to snap up their artwork early and discover exciting new talent and techniques. With a range of mediums and styles, the Discover: Young Talent platform is not to be missed at the upcoming Affordable Art Fair Melbourne. Our rising stars this year are Alex Kynaston, Chris Henderson, Flick Chafer-Smith, Liv McCarten, and Yi Cheng.

Read more about each rising star on our handy blog here.

7. Family Fun

At Affordable Art Fair Melbourne, we’re all about creating a delightful day out for the whole family! Kids can enjoy face painting sessions that add an extra splash of creativity to their day, alongside relaxed walk in workshops at the Creative Hub. Plus, the best part is that children under 16 can join the artful fun absolutely free, making it a perfect family outing.

8. Create with Alice Oehr

Much loved local artist and designer Alice will be taking over our Creative Hub with a series of ever vibrant and affordable limited edition prints alongside an eye-catching Still Life arrangement that will inform her relaxed drop-in workshops for art-lovers of all ages – from toddlers to teens!

Alice is highly regarded for her iconic and lively artworks that incorporate her love for food, pattern and collage. Her artwork is sought after both Nationally and Internationally alongside her work as an author-illustrator which include the recent Still Life Drawing (Hardie Grant, 2021) and Off to the Market (Scribble, 2022).

9. Features

In addition to our fabulous galleries, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into our thoughtfully curated selection of installation fair features crafted by renowned artists. Get ready to immerse yourself in an array of sculptures and installations from artists including James Price, Ben Tankard, Lauri Smith, and Jenny Reddin. Discover art that goes beyond the canvas from 31 August – 3 September.

10. Indulge in our food and beverage offerings! 

During your fair visit, we’ve got you covered, no matter your preferred refreshment! Enjoy a glass of Italian glacial sparkling from our friends at Mezze di Mezzacorona or power up with a flat white from our Coffee Stop. With an array of delightful options, we’re here to ensure you never suffer from art fair-tigue. Sit back, savour the art, and ponder your next art-purchase.

11. Buy your tickets online, or at the fair!  

Plan ahead or be spontaneous, it’s totally up to you! Snap up your tickets online and enjoy our 25% off Advanced Ticket sale, or get tickets on the door.

If you want to purchase your tickets on arrival, head on over to our ticket desk, which is powered by our friends at Square. Whether you want to pay with your card or mobile device, we can take your payment quickly to maximise your time in the fair aisles. 

With so much to see and do, what are you waiting for? Secure your Advanced Tickets and sign up for fair updates to receive all our exclusive arty news, offers and inspiration.

Main image: Affordable Art Fair, Royal Exhibition Building.