A New Austin Art Fair Checks In at The Loren at Lady Bird Lake
With 12 rooms turned into curated exhibitions, the Friends Fair brings local and national galleries together during a weekend of art in Austin
A new satellite art fair is coming to Austin. Friends Fair, taking place May 16–17 at The Loren Hotel, will showcase work from 12 galleries and curators inside hotel rooms on the second and third floors. Inspired by the tradition of hotel-based art fairs, the event offers a more intimate experience during the same weekend as the larger Affordable Art Fair across the street.
Organized by a group of Austin galleries including grayDUCK, Ivester Contemporary, McLennon Pen Co., Martha’s and Northern-Southern, the inaugural Friends Fair will also feature Inman Gallery from Houston, 12.26 from Dallas and Los Angeles, and New York-based Dutton and Half Gallery. The fair will sponsor rooms for Austin nonprofit SAGE Studio and Gallery and local independent curator Taylor Danielle Davis.
The making of Friends Fair
According to Kevin Ivester of Ivester Contemporary, the idea came together quickly. “As recent as December. And we have worked on this almost every day since,” he said during a preview panel discussion. “It’s going to be very intimate, high quality and personal.”
Friends Fair will kick off with a VIP preview on May 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. before opening to the public May 16–17, from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free with RSVP.
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A launch event will take place May 14 at The Contemporary Austin’s Jones Center rooftop, beginning at 7 p.m. Curated by Co-Lab Projects, the evening includes video art, poetry readings and live music. Advance tickets are sold out, though walk-up entry will be available as space allows.
Organizers say Friends Fair is part of a growing national trend of smaller, independently produced fairs operating alongside major art events. In Dallas, the Dallas Invitational takes place each spring at a nearby hotel during the Dallas Art Fair. In Miami, the Satellite Art Show has become a regular counterpoint to Art Basel Miami Beach.
“This is a moment to show those people who are visiting Austin that Austin is ready for this,” Ivester said. “And it’s a moment to be able to build on something next year.”
Partnership with The Loren Hotel
On April 28, Friends Fair hosted a preview at the Loren Hotel’s Paggi House, welcoming collectors, gallerists and members of the Blanton Museum of Art’s Petal Society. The panel featured Ivester, Blanton curator Hannah Klemm and collector Katherine Laughlin, who spoke about the role of collecting and the appeal of art fairs.
“When we were thinking about how to get downtown as gallerists and engage with a wider audience, the Loren felt like a natural partner,” Ivester said. “It’s an organization that already supports the arts.”
Each participant will present their work in an individual hotel room, offering visitors a chance to engage with the art and artists.
For McLennon, who owns McLennon Pen Co., her curatorial style is rooted in personal connection. “It’s very organic. I usually work with artists I want to collect myself,” she said. At the fair, her presentation will feature a solo installation by Austin-based painter Alexandra Valenti.
Collecting art
The panel also explored how art fairs offer a unique viewing experience. “If you see something on a wall at the fair and absolutely love it, chances are it’s right for you,” said Klemm. “It hasn’t been zhuzhed up in a museum… You see it, and if you love it, you love it.”
Visitors will be able to view a range of contemporary works and speak directly with artists and curators, with each presentation staged inside a hotel room at The Loren.
For full event details, visit friendsfair.art or follow @friendsfair.art on Instagram.