INTERVIEW: Rick Friedman Dishes On ArtHamptons 2014

The seventh edition of ArtHamptons, the Hamptons leading fine art fair, will be held at The Sculpture Fields of NOVA’a Ark from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, 2014. With attendance currently running double that of last year’s, this expo is set to be the biggest and best one yet.

“Seven years ago we staged our first show and it actually turned out well and we’ve been growing it ever since,” ArtHamptons Founder and President Rick Friedman said. “Last year we knocked about 13,000 people and there’s a chance that we can really sky rocket above that.”

Featuring 87 dealers from 12 different countries, the fair offers attendees the change to “Escape from the Hamptons to this wonderful location,” Friedman said. The theme of the fair being “Come Escape with Us,” will take viewers on a journey into the creative minds and lifestyles of nearly 600 acclaimed artists.

A highlight of this year’s expo is the addition of 15 Korean galleries coming from the offices of the Korean government and the Korean Art Dealership Association. “The Korean focused programming encourages viewers to experience a not so familiar world in a contemporary setting – opening up the culture to new interpretations while further contextualizing the artists’ ideas,” Friedman said.

With attendance sky high for this year’s expo, Friedman said that nearly 20,000 people could attend this Hamptons hit art showcase. “I’ve always been amazed by the amount of people that are in the Hamptons that like art, want to buy art or want to look at art,” explained Friedman.

Featuring everything from cutting-edge to contemporary pieces, ArtHamptons will present a diverse selection of work that is sure to please everyone’s artistic sides. To further supplement the weekend of beautiful arts and culture, attendees will also enjoy music from musician and photographer Moby.

In addition to the weekend of fine arts, ArtHamptons will host 19 special parties and events amidst nearly $50 million worth of fine arts. Events include the Hamptons.com 10th Anniversary party on Saturday, July 12, a lecture from the U.S. Trust and a private party for the World Presidents’ Organization.

This year’s fair, benefiting Guild Hall, Empire State Pride Agenda, Free Arts NYC and the Southampton Arts Center, will honor American representational painter Jane Freilicher with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Robert Wilson as the Arts Patron of the Year for his award-winning work in theater.

The Sculpture Fields of NOVA’s Ark is located at 60 Millstone Road in Bridgehampton. Free onsite parking will be available as well as $20 valet parking. For more information, visit www.arthamptons.com.