What Makes this event different?
stARTup Art Fair, in San Francisco, is the only contemporary hotel art fair for independent artists. We create a marketplace for artists so that they can present and sell their artwork on their own terms and keep 100% of the proceeds from their sales.
Call to Artists
stARTup Art Fair in San Francisco is a contemporary art fair for independent artists.
Fair dates are April 26-28, 2019 at the Hotel Del Sol. The art fair takes place during the same time period as the Art Market SF gallery fair at nearby Fort Mason.
Hotel Del Sol, a motor lodge from the 1950s, is a unique boutique "California beach house" style hotel, that is located in San Francisco’s scenic and happening Marina neighborhood. The De Sol is a perfect setting for an immersive contemporary art experience filled with artist exhibition rooms, provocative discussions about today's art market, and interactive public art projects.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE is FEBRUARY 19th, 2019.
Selected artists from the open application process will each take over a hotel room for the course of three days to present a solo show of their work. Through its democratic online application, artists will have the opportunity to have their work reviewed by an impressive Selection Committee with a diverse range of art world professionals:
Dean Daderko, Curator, Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston
Matea Fish, Director, Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco
Dorka Keehn, Curator/Art Advisor, San Francisco
Jakub Spanhel, Internationally exhibited painter, Czech Republic
Nancy Toomey, Owner/Director, Toomey Fine Art, San Francisco
Su-en Wong, Widely exhibited painter, New York
Here’s what artists say about us:
"As an emerging artist, I think that the stARTup Art Fair is a must to get you started. I learned so much about getting ready for a show, how to curate my collection and gained the confidence to create and pursue my own vision and voice."
—Anna Sidana
"stARTup Fair was an invigorating weekend for my art practice. Not only did I generate sales of my work, but it was also a relief to finally get my work in front of a new and serious art audience. I had some amazing conversations with collectors, gallerists and consultants and the shared experience with the other artists forged new and sustaining friendships."
—Nancy Willis
"Being an exhibiting artist at stARTup is an invaluable experience! Not just merely a chance for an independent artist to connect with the art world and market professionals and make sales, it is a fantastic opportunity for artists to flex their self-marketing and self-curating muscles. I highly recommend it."
—Katrina Bello
"This was an incredible experience as an artist...making sales is wonderful and the success goes far beyond that. I was able connect with so many people about my work and art making in general. Being a part of this unique community for the weekend was a rare and invaluable opportunity."
—Ellie Fritz
"Thanks for your strong support for us on top of everything else you provided. There is no question in my mind that this was worth both the money and effort...the fair allowed me to more fully envision how this event can be implemented to move my practice forward."
—Jon Fischer
“I think the quality of the visitor here, it’s not about the quantity, the quality has been stupendous. The art writers, the gallerists, etc. On both days we’ve had about 8-10 different gallery owners. At one point there were 3 independent art dealers in here with us at the same time.”
—Annie Seaton
There are application and exhibitor fees. For more information about this opportunity for artists please visit the EVENT WEBSITE.