Václav Cigler Represented by Litvak Gallery, Tel Aviv

CHICAGO - Celebrating its 16th year, SOFA CHICAGO 2009, the critically acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, returns to Navy Pier's Festival Hall (600 E. Grand Avenue) Nov. 6 - 8 to present masterworks from 68 top international galleries and dealers from 10 countries. Dealer Highlights >

The public is cordially invited to attend the Opening Night Public Preview on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 - 9 pm for the affordable price of $50. The Fair will also feature 5 special exhibits by renowned museums, universities and arts organizations, as well as 33 lecture series presentations, all included in the admission price. Debuting this year is SOLO at SOFA, defined spaces where galleries will spotlight bodies of works on the cutting-edge by individual artists as well as object groupings.

Lauren Kalman Represented by Sienna Gallery, Lenox, MA

Mark Lyman, founding director of SOFA says, "We're very excited about the launch of SOLO at SOFA, for example Bullseye Gallery's (Portland, OR) focus on Australian Klaus Moje's virtuoso kiln-cast glass, and Sienna Gallery's (Lenox, MA) presentation of avant-garde jewelers Lauren Kalman and Arthur Hash. Also planned is a Sam Maloof Tribute Weekend to honor the lifework of the late furniture master, including an Opening Night dinner to benefit the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts."

	Kurt Weiser Represented by Ferrin Gallery, Pittsfield MA

Lyman adds, "Attesting to SOFA's strong collector base, we're delighted that Chubb Personal Insurance, one of the world's preeminent insurers of fine homes, art and antiques, has again signed on to be a major sponsor of the Chicago fair." Lyman continues, "Even in this tough economy, the dealers are bringing their best artists and planning major exhibits. Once again, Chicago will be wowed." Standouts include a comprehensive survey of Contemporary Studio Furniture presented by William Zimmer Gallery, Menocino, CA; New York gallerist Barry Friedman Ltd's focus exhibition,Venice: 3 Visions in Glass, featuring Laura de Santillana, Cristiano Bianchin and Yoichi Ohira; Tel Aviv, Israel's Litvak Gallery's installation of Czech optical glass master, Vaclav Ciglar's Spheres, created as an "event... a living organism, co-created and transformed by the presence of observers"; and Ferrin Gallery of Pittsfield, MA presents The Illusculptors: A Group Show of Illustrated Ceramic Sculpture, a survey of sculptors integrating three dimensional ceramic form and illustration; artists include Sergei Isupov, Kurt Weiser, Chris Antemann and Richard Notkin.

Hans Coper Represented by Galerie Besson, London

Other premier SOFA CHICAGO 2009 exhibitors include: Perimeter Gallery, Ann Nathan Gallery and Ken Saunders Gallery of Chicago; Galleri Udengaard of Denmark; Galleri Norsu of Finland; Kirra Gallery of Australia; Galerie Porkona of Czechoslovakia; Galerie Besson of London; Galleria San Marco Arte & Design, Venice, Italy; Heller Gallery, Scott Jacobson Gallery (formerly Leo Kaplan Modern), Aaron Faber Gallery, Chappell Gallery, Crawford Contemporary and Charon Kransen Arts of New York City; Schantz Galleries/Holsten Galleries of Stockbridge, MA; del Mano Gallery of Los Angeles;  Blue Rain Gallery, William and Joseph Gallery and Jane Sauer Gallery of Santa Fe, NM; Hedge, San Francisco; Wexler Gallery and Snyderman-Works of Philadelphia, PA and Donna Schneier Fine Art of Miami, FL. For a full listing, see Gallery List.

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 VIP Program and Special Exhibits

Sam Maloof

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 will again produce an exclusive VIP Program for upper-level gallery clients and collector groups. Special Exhibits to be mounted by international arts organizations include Sam Maloof Woodworking, Inc. and the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts; the Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts (AIDA); the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts; American Association of Woodturners; and BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass, presented by Ohio State University and Hawk Galleries. Returning by popular demand is the Corning Museum of Glass’ Hot Glass Roadshow, a mobile glassblowing studio that will present on-going Fair presentations. See Special Exhibits listings.

SOFA Lecture Series

	Alastair Crawford Represented by Crawford Contemporary, New York, NY

33 SOFA Lecture Series presentations will again feature top museum curators, professional art advisors, artists, collectors, interior designers, critics and art market journalists, who will share their professional and personal experiences in the field. Speakers include Janet Koplos, former senior editor, “Art in America,” and guest editor-in-chief of “American Craft”; Italian glass artist Laura de Santillana, Barry Friedman, Ltd; ceramic artist Kurt Weiser, Ferrin Gallery; Australian glass artist Giles Bettison, Bullseye Gallery; Frank Maraschiello, Vice President, and Director of 20th Century Decorative Art, Bonhams; designer George Larsen; and Roseanne Somerson, Department Head, Furniture Design, Rhode Island School of Design. See Lecture Series schedule.

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Opening Night Preview Gala

SOFA CHICAGO 2008 Opening Night Preview

The SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Opening Night Preview Gala, much anticipated by collectors, museum curators, art advisors, interior designers and architects, artists and cognoscenti is scheduled for Thursday evening, Nov. 5. First Choice Preview: 5 - 7 p.m., by invitation only. Public Preview: 7 - 9 p.m.; Tickets for the Public Preview are $50 and will be available in advance or at the door beginning at 6:00 p.m. Or purchase tickets online.

	Sam Maloof

The public is also cordially invited to a fundraising dinner on Opening Night in honor of the late Sam Maloof, which will benefit the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts, whose mission is “perpetuate excellence in craftsmanship, encourage young artists, and make available to the public the treasure house the Maloof’s lovingly created.” The Tribute will begin at 8:30 pm on the SOFA CHICAGO show floor. Proceeds will also support Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Maloof Scholarship Fund, and The Furniture Society Scholarship Program. More information on ticket levels and benefits.

Ruth Duckworth

Also the public may join Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts of Newcastle, ME for a Chicago celebration of legendary ceramic artists Ruth Duckworth, Jim Melchert, Don Reitz and Toshiko Takaezu. Watershed will present a special exhibit of works by these acclaimed artists at the Fair. The highlight of the artists’ tribute is the Watershed LEGENDS Gala Award Dinner on Friday, Nov. 6, 7- 10 pm at the Arts Club of Chicago, 201 East Ontario Street. Proceeds will benefit Watershed’s artist residency programs. For ticket levels and benefits: visit www.watershedceramics.org.

	Brian Newell Represented by William Zimmer Gallery, Mendocino, CA

Also planned is an invitation-only Designers Breakfast. Guided by SOFA’s prestigious Designers Committee, designers and their clients may enjoy a champagne breakfast and an exclusive preview of the Fair before it opens to the general public on Friday morning.

HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGES FOR PRINT ARE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD IN THE SOFA CHICAGO ONLINE PRESS ROOM AT http://www.sofaexpo.com/epress/

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Calendar Listing

SOFA CHICAGO 2009 will be presented in Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Nov. 6 - 8. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala Preview on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. are $50. Tickets for the Opening Night Sam Maloof Benefit Tribute Dinner at 8:30 pm on the Fair show floor are available on www.sofaexpo.com. Fair hours are as follows: Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for single day general admission and $25 for a three-day pass. Discounted student, senior and group tickets are available. Catalogs are $15. For general information, please visit sofaexpo.com; call 800.563.SOFA (7632) or 773.506.8860; or email info@sofaexpo.com.