Monday, April 20, 2009

The Art Fair Company & Consolidation

This press release is quoted directly...more about The Art Fair company coming soon to ABJ Seattle Glass Online.

NEW VENTURE PURCHASES SOFA FAIRS
FOREMOST ART FAIRS DEVOTED TO BRIDGING FINE ART,
CONTEMPORARY DECORATIVE ART AND DESIGN

"NEW YORK, APRIL 15, 2009. Michael Franks, Chief Operating Officer, dmg world media, along with Mark Lyman, former Vice-President, dmg world media’s Art & Antiques Fairs and SOFA Founding Director have purchased the three internationally renowned International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs, SOFA CHICAGO, SOFA NEW YORK and SOFA WEST: Santa Fe from dmg world media. This new, jointly owned firm, The Art Fair Company, also acquired an antiques fair held five times a year in Charlotte, NC, run by long-time show director, Lydia Sullivan. The Art Fair Company’s main offices will be based in Chicago and Charlotte.

“SOFA Fairs have grown well until this current economic downturn, but even so, have been less badly affected than most other art fairs,” says Michael Franks. “Moreover, it’s an important event in the arts calendar for our client galleries specializing in artworks bridging contemporary decorative, fine art and design. We count on each other for success.” Franks is a 30- year veteran of the trade show business and now serves as President of The Art Fair Company.

Mark Lyman, Vice-President of the new company, says, “Michael and I share a deep commitment to the SOFA Fairs and their potential for growth. We are very excited about the inaugural SOFA WEST: Santa Fe, opening this June 11- 14, 2009 in Santa Fe, NM. The fact that the Opening Night “First Choice” Preview will benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art Design Collection is outstanding validation of the new SOFA in the museum world.”

Lyman adds, “We’re so pleased to be able to keep our core team together—one of the best art fair production teams going. We also plan to grow our outside consulting service to other art fairs, including operations management and equipment supply.” SOFA presently services such high-profile art fairs as SCOPE and NADA."

http://www.sofaexpo.com/NY/2009/email/tafc/

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