15/04-05   -   Press releases

Battersea Contemporary Art Fair Brightens Up Early Summer

At Battersea Arts Centre, 13 -15 May, 2005.

The respected Battersea Contemporary Art Fair (http://www.bcaf.info), one of England’s largest artists’ exhibitions, returns for its early summer fixture on 13 to 15 May, 2005, at London’s Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill. Now in its 15th year, the Fair showcases the work of 150 established and up-and-coming artists and gives collectors a chance to buy a diverse range of works directly from the creators, commission-free.

Around 3,500 art lovers are expected to attend the Fair, which attracts world-wide interest. The Fair has seen a significant increase in artists attending from Europe as its reputation builds and London is acknowledged as the leading venue for art sales. An eclectic selection of painters, sculptors, printmakers and photographers will sell directly to the public with no commission payable to intermediaries such as dealers or galleries. Attendees can buy original works at competitive prices from 25 to 4,000 GBP, besides taking advantage of the opportunity to meet the artists face-to-face.

Highlights of the May event include the popular Friday evening reception with drinks and live music. Maria Scaman, director of the Fair, comments: ‘Our commitment to making the work of upcoming and established artists accessible to the public, while cutting out the industry ‘middlemen’, continues in May with what promises to be another lively exhibition. We look forward to welcoming many fresh faces and exposing a great range of previously unseen contemporary art.’

The event is open from 6-9pm on Friday 13 May, 11am-6pm on Saturday 14 May and 11am-5pm on Sunday 15 May at the Battersea Arts Centre, Battersea Old Town Hall, 176 Lavender Hill, London SW11. Entry costs 6 GBP (accompanied children under 16 enter free of charge). Booking information for artists is at http://www.bcaf.info.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Battersea Contemporary Art Fair (BCAF) Established over 15 years ago, the Battersea Contemporary Art Fair is owned by David and Maria Scaman of Scaman Associates, who bought it from the previous retiring owners in summer 2001. The event now runs twice a year - in May and November - at Battersea Arts Centre; an English Heritage site and registered charity. BCAF has gained an enviable reputation for attracting an excellent variety of high quality work and making contemporary art accessible to the public. Four full time employees and up to 15 part-timers produce the events.