SOFA, so good

Local gallerists on the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair
Can Santa Fe shoulder yet another high-end art event? According to some, the answer is a resounding "yes" as SOFA — the international exposition of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art — makes its appearance at the Santa Fe Convention Center from Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, June 14 (with an opening-night preview on Wednesday, June 10). The annual art and design exposition originated in Chicago in 1994 and has been a yearly affair in New York City since 1998.
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Santa Fe, which celebrates its 400th anniversary next year, is one of the oldest cities in America. It also has one of the largest art markets in the country—either the third largest or the second largest, depending on whom you ask. Steeped in Native American, Spanish and Old West traditions, Santa Fe has long been known as the place for collectors to go for blue-chip art and objects in those fields. In recent years, though, the city’s art market has been transcending the regional, expanding to embrace the contemporary and the international. It’s now a world-class destination for collectors in a multitude of fields, and the best time to discover this richness is the summer season, with its cornucopia of cultural events, fairs and gallery shows.
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SOFA Sees City As Perfect Move West

When SOFA founder Mark Lyman began looking west to expand his prestigious show bridging fine art, decorative art and design, he found Santa Fe. 
    
Midwife to the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair in both Chicago and New York, Lyman checked out Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. But none possessed the access and feeling of community he sought. Then an art gallery owner and collector steered him to New Mexico. 
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Latchezar Boyadjiev
TORSO IV, 2008
cast glass
33 x 22 x 6"
Represented by Jane Sauer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

SOFA WEST: Santa Fe opened with a bang on Wednesday, June 10, with an Opening Night Preview and Reception to benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art Design Collection and an invitation-only VIP preview. The show floor was packed with an estimated 2000 persons. Keith Toler, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Community Convention Center said it was “without a doubt, the largest crowd for an opening event we’ve ever seen.” Tom Agesson, Executive Director of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation said, “It was such a festive evening and very exciting to see the community come out in force.”

CHICAGO May 4, 2009. Mark Lyman, Founder/Director of the International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs in Chicago and New York, announced a new edition of SOFA to be launched June 11 - 14, 2009 at the Santa Fe Convention Center in Santa Fe, NM, presented by an elite line-up of 35 international dealers.  SOFA WEST: Santa Fe will be the second fair produced by the newly formed The Art Fair Company, helmed by Lyman and Michael Franks, Chief Operating Officer of dmg world media.  Lyman says, "We’re delighted that the Opening Night Preview will benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art Design Collection."

CLARK + DELVECCHIO Renowned ceramic arts historians, critics and dealers Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio, newly relocated to Santa Fe, will showcase acclaimed Navajo potter Christine McHorse, who successfully combines the techniques and materials of traditional pottery with contemporary non-traditional forms and firing methods. She uses micaceous clay taken from the mountains near Taos to hand-build her sculptural vessels using the coil method, sometimes adding appliqué designs.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the O'Keeffe Room.
Lectures are included with SOFA admission.

We are pleased to feature the Eldorado Hotel & Spa as our top lodging option. Enjoy a memorable visit graced by the art of hospitality at this historic hotel within walking distance to the Santa Fe Convention Center. Exclusive benefits for SOFA guests include VIP Turndown Service each night and 15% off all services and retail sales at the Nidah Spa during length of stay.

CHICAGO March 2, 2009. Mark Lyman, Founder/Director of the International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs in Chicago and New York, announced a new edition of SOFA to be launched June 11 - 14, 2009 in Santa Fe, NM, the first city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO Creative City, as well as one of Travel + Leisure's 2008 World's Best Cities. Lyman says, "I’m also delighted that the Opening Night First Choice Preview will benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art’s inaugural Design Collection."