During the VIP preview, some galleries were just feeling out the scene—the opening night is a benefit for Henry Street Settlement, replete with excellent hors d’oeuvres and free flowing champagne. Veterans had warned first-time exhibitor Two Palms that sales might come later in the fair’s run. The New York gallery and print publisher was presenting a suite of large-scale monoprints by Katherine Bernhardt featuring characters such as Miss Piggy and Pink Panther.
But some collectors had their eye on the prize even prior to opening night. New York’s Berry Campbell, which specializes in Abstract Expressionist women artists, was also participating for the first time. It didn’t even hang a $45,000 Janice Biala and $185,000 Mary Abbott after the two works both sold on the strength of the gallery’s pre-fair email blast. (The Abbott sale comes on the heels of a new auction record for the artist, with a $156,000 sale at Sotheby’s online on October 2.)
Perusing the aisles, we were impressed by the caliber of work on view, and the opportunity to learn about new artists. Here are some dealers that stood out.
— Sarah Cascone & William Van Meter, Artnet
