Art Fair East Credit Mike and Sonia Marshall

Take part in Art Fair East 2023

Applications still welcome! https://artfaireast.com/apply-to-take-part/

The call is still out to artists and galleries to take part in one of the biggest contemporary art fairs outside of London.

Billed as the East of England’s major art fair, Art Fair East annually attracts thousands of visitors to Norwich.

Artists, galleries and art dealers are invited to be part of the event which will take place in the spectacular setting of St Andrew’s Hall in the heart of the city.

This standout event in the area’s cultural calendar is already set to be the key meeting point for art lovers and buyers in the Eastern Region.

Ellis King in her studio. Ellis will be exhibiting at this year’s Art Fair East for the first time.
Ellis King in her studio. Ellis will be exhibiting at this year’s Art Fair East for the first time.

The event was founded in 2015 by leading Norfolk-based artists Will Teather and Brian Korteling, who will both be exhibiting at the Fair.

The duo are passionate about bringing contemporary art to the region, supporting artists and creating a buzz around the visual arts.

Will Teather said: “Art Fair East is a chance for artists and dealers to be part of the region’s biggest and most established art fair.

“We are often told the standard of exhibitors is very high and that the event helps to lift artist’s careers to the next stage, with many making important new connections and meeting new collectors.

“The many returning exhibitors we get, alongside new talent, is a testament to the success of the Fair. It is a chance to sell work to the public in a beautiful location and I think the public and exhibitors enjoy the buzz and friendliness of the event.

Nicola Mountney. Credit: Nicola Mountney.
Nicola Mountney. Credit: Nicola Mountney.

“We hope to make this year’s fair our best yet, with increased international talent alongside artists from the region. We bring a wide range of styles to the fair to suit all tastes and budget.

“One of the unique aspects to the event is the chance to meet many of the artists and experts in person, with many present throughout the weekend. It is also a chance for me to exhibit my latest creations to an Eastern Region audience, before they are sent out to the wider world.

“We are proud to bring the international artworld to the East, having previously included dealers in Banksy and Damian Hirst amongst our roster. This year we have a special guest curator bringing an international touring show to the fair. I will confirm more details nearer the event, but this promises to be a must-see.”

Brian Korteling added: “I’m super excited about this year’s fair. We have some great artists taking part already and there is still time for more to apply so hopefully it’ll be even better than last year. It’s always great to show our artists at St Andrew’s Hall, it’s a fantastic venue with a great atmosphere and it’s always a joy to see artists hanging their work ready for the doors to open.”

Patricia Robinson in her studio. Credit: Lucy Seppings.
Patricia Robinson in her studio. Credit: Lucy Seppings.

Norwich based artist Bella Bigsby said: “I had a very successful time at Art Fair East in 2022 and am looking forward to returning this year to show my original paintings and prints. St Andrew’s Hall is a fantastic space to show work and the event creates a wonderful opportunity to meet other artists, art enthusiasts and collectors from all over the country.”

Oil painter Patricia Robinson said: “I am delighted to be exhibiting for the second consecutive year at Art Fair East in December. The event is a celebration of art and artists from around the region and beyond. The quality of work on show stamps Art Fair East as one of the ‘must-go-to’ events of the year, not only as an artist but also as a visitor.”

Applications have already been received from artists in the Eastern Region and beyond including Shropshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Italy.

Artist Nicola Mountney, who lives near Florence, will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time. She said: “This is the first time I have taken part in Art Fair East and I’m really looking forward to it.

“My background is Tibetan thangka (scroll) painting, where there is a strong emphasis on precision, colour and detail. Taking this as my base, alongside an interest in Asian art, I now create unique landscapes that abound with mountains, streams, foliage and wildlife, where viewers are transported to imaginary worlds.”

Art Fair East 2022 Credit: Brian Korteling.

Organisers have also confirmed that East Anglian wealth management firm Chadwicks are once again supporting Art Fair East alongside longstanding supporters Musker McIntyre Estate Agents & Financial Services.

Mr Teather said: “We’re pleased to have Musker McIntyre and Chadwicks returning for 2023. Both are friendly and forward-thinking companies helping to put the region on the map, as we aspire to do for the visual arts.

“These two outward-looking dynamic companies, that serve the Eastern Region, reflect our ongoing vision for the event to be a major Art Fair for the East of England. Long may it continue.”

This year’s fair will run from 1st – 3rd December at. St Andrews Hall in Norwich. Art Fair East is sponsored by Musker McIntyre and Chadwicks.

Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the event is full.

To apply and for more information visit www.artfaireast.com

Bella Bigsby. Credit: Lee Warden.
Bella Bigsby. Credit: Lee Warden.

What is Art Fair East?

ART FAIR EAST is an annual event and aims to be an important art fair for the East of England. Our mission is to showcase quality galleries, dealers and artists to an Eastern region audience of art collectors and businesses. The 2023 fair takes place in the spectacular setting of St Andrews Hall, a well-known events venue at the heart of Norwich city centre.

Art Fair East is the kind of event rarely seen outside of London and provides a great chance for people to expand their existing art collection or start their own journey into collecting. We set this up to make a big event for the region, and a focus for the art scene, and encourage collectors to celebrate the area.

Will Teather in his studio. Credit: Amanda Geitner.
Will Teather in his studio. Credit: Amanda Geitner.

About the organisers

Will Teather

Will Teather’s paintings have been exhibited internationally to acclaim, with recent exhibitions including a one-person exhibition at the Royal Exchange, London, Artwars at Red Dot Miami, RJD New York and as a finalist in the London Contemporary Art Prize.

His studio is based in Norwich, where he is an Associate Lecturer in drawing at Norwich University of the Arts. He is the Artist-in-Residence for Norwich Arts Centre, following on from previous residencies with venues in New York and Aberdeen.

Brian Korteling in his studio. Credit: Sophie Laslett.

Brian Korteling

Brian Korteling is an artist, curator, musician and market gardener. He has won awards for both painting and 3D work. Painting in oils, Brian is primarily interested in landscape, often fragmenting or dissecting the image.

His latest venture is a shop called The Garden on St Augustine Street in Norwich where he sells produce from his “No Dig” market garden as well as a selection of plants and other local produce.