SOUTHAMPTON, NY.- Art Southampton July 24 – 28, 2014, the leading international contemporary and modern art fair for acquiring investment quality 20th and 21st century works of art, presented by Art Miami, drew a record 21,000 thousand collectors, art enthusiasts, curators and influencers to its luminous 100,000 square-foot pavilion over a five-day course. The Platinum VIP Preview benefitting the Parrish Art Museum and Southampton Hospital drew over 1,500 top collectors, cultural leaders and philanthropists of the East End and attendance exceeded last year’s VIP Preview of 4,200 guests throughout the remainder of the evening.

More than eighty international galleries representing over 660 artists from 43 countries showcased a versatile array of works including paintings, photography, prints, drawings, design, video art, indoor and outdoor sculptures.

Sales of artworks were recorded within the first moments of the Platinum VIP Preview opening, setting the tone for the remainder of the evening, as champagne flowed at the Ruinart Champagne Bar in the Maserati VIP Lounge curated by Luxe Interiors + Design (designed by Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams), and catered by Southampton Social Club, and as statuesque models adorned in magnificent GRAFF jewels strolled through the aisles amidst GRAFF diamond-filled vitrines.

Collectors and well known prominent art advisors showed keen interest and acquired quality works by mid-career and emerging artists as well as blue chip works by Motherwell, Wesselman, Lichtenstein, Frankenthaler, Warhol, Sam Francis, Doug & Mike Starn, Richard Diebenkorn, Theodoros Stamos and other artists.

“We were extremely pleased with the turnout of collectors to the fair this year. Galleries reported significant multiple sales in all price ranges with a concentration of sales being achieved in the mid five figures. Monday proved to be a very strong day for acquisitions and many dealers confirmed that they had serious interest on important works and positive follow up to complete at the conclusion of the fair,” said Nick Korniloff Director of Art Southampton. “We look forward to returning to the Hampton's in 2015.”

Dealers reported important five- and six-figure sales throughout the weekend, right to the fair closing and expressed optimism about artworks on hold noting that many collectors planned to make decisions shortly after the warm July weekend. These include:

· Hollis Taggart Galleries of New York reported a six-figure sale of Allan D’Arcangelo 1967 “Aspen,” the sale of a Joseph Cornell box and Stamos work on paper.

· Hackelbury Fine Art sold four Doug & Mark Starn works: “Structure of Thought Series” for $30,000, “Ganjin” for an undisclosed amount, “Tree 15” for $25,000 and an unidentified work for an undisclosed amount.

· Amstel Gallery sold a Mart Visser painting for $29,500 and three iconic Axel Crieger photographs, two of John F. Kennedy and one of Marilyn Monroe for $15,000 each.

· Lawrence Fine Arts, East Hampton, New York sold an abstract expressionist painting by Arthur Pinajian for $300,000

· “Underwater” horse, used for as the official Art Southampton imagery, by artist Vanessa Von Zitzewitz exhibited by Bernheimer Fine Art sold two editions for $45,000 apiece along with four Nick Brandt elephant prints for $15-20,000 each

· Jerald Melberg Gallery reported the sales of a series of Robert Motherwell works for $36,000 asking price

· Eric Firestone Gallery in East Hampton sold a large Tseng Kwong Chi color C print of Keith Haring and two Eric Freeman oil and pigment on canvas for undisclosed amounts

· Jackson Fine Art was pleased to report multiple sales for all its artists including Vee Speers, Rund Van Empel, Ysabel LeMay and others.

· Claire Oliver Gallery sold Lisa Alonzo’s set of 6 “canned can” series for $23,000, a work by Norbert Brunner for $26,000 and three works by Beth Lipman for $33,000 in total.

· Vik Muniz’s “The Bust of Woman After Picasso” work sold for $75,000 at Chowaiki & Co

· Birnam - Wood Galleries of New York and East Hampton sold Tom Wesselmann’s “Study for Vivienne” for $75,000 asking price, one Sam Francis work on paper and a painting by Marjorie Gosnell-Qua for undisclosed sums.

· DeBuck Gallery sold multiple works on paper by featured artist Kelly Reemtsen to various collectors for $14,000 apiece.

· Peter Marcelle gallery of Bridgehampton sold a Dan Rizzie piece for $25,000 and “Marntea” acrylic on canvas by Andy Moses for $10,000.

· Marcello Lo Giudice canvas painting sold for $42,000 asking price by UNIX Gallery of New York and Miami Beach along with a work by Justin Bower for asking price of $25,000 and a piece by Kwangho Shin for an undisclosed amount.

“The Parrish is all about art, artists, and the creative process and we were so pleased to be the benefactor of Art Southampton’s Platinum VIP Preview. The evening was lovely and vibrant, buzzing with activity as so many people joined us for conversation, viewing and acquiring artworks. The generous support of Art Southampton and all the guests who participated means a great deal to us,” said Parrish Museum Director Terrie Sultan.

“This year's third edition of Art Southampton was the best one to date, in terms of attendance, interest from visitors, quality of art and of collectors, and actual sales. The opening night was quite spirited and we sold a 6-figure work within the first hour. Attendance was steady throughout the fair, especially over the week-end, when further sales were made. As usual, Nick Korniloff's organization was excellent and he has now distinguished his fair from others that take place in the Hamptons,” said Hollis Taggart of his eponymous New York-based gallery.

“Art Southampton 2014 continues a three year tradition of bringing a world class art fair to the East End community. Southampton Hospital has been its partner from the outset and we are proud of this collaboration and grateful to be the beneficiary of its Platinum VIP Preview Party,” remarked Steven Bernstein, President – Southampton Hospital Foundation.

Some of the distinguished collectors and art patrons, art advisors, philanthropists, cultural leaders and government officials who attended this year’s fair were Mayor Mark Epley & Marianne Epley, Martin & Audrey Gruss, Wilbur & Hilary Geary Ross, Heather Mnuchin, Richard Johnson & Sessa Von Richthofen, Patrick McMullan, Cheri Kaufman and Bill Sclight, Joan & George Hornig, Henry Buhl, Ted & Ruth Baum, Michael & Seren Shvo, David & Simone Levinson, Jean Shafiroff, Arnie & Paola Rosenshein, Mai Halllingby, Kim Heirston, Philippe Artus Hoerle, Rick & Kathy Hilton, Elizabeth Hagins & Richard Mortimer, Patricia Duff & Richard Cohen, David & Katherine Boulud, Eleanor Kennedy; Parrish Museum Director Terri Sultan, Nina Madison, Peter Haveles; Robert Chaloner, President & CEO, Southampton Hospital, as well as, Southampton Hospital Foundation President Steven Bernstein ; artists Eric Fischl, Joe Zucker, Peter Schlesinger, Eric Boman, Hunt Slonem, Dinah Maxwell Smith, Steve Miller, Peter Tunney, Jeffrey Muhs, Sandra Shashou, Suzanne LaFleur, Boaz Vaadia, Vasily Kapanov, Tap Francke, Jim Ceravolo, Gian Carlo Impiglia, Neil Slaughter, Ron Burkhardt and many others.