Myths vs. Realities of Art Fairs and Collecting

First time visiting Plural? Not sure what to expect? To help you separate the facts from fictions about art fairs and art collecting, we’ve debunked some common misconceptions below, so you can have the best fair experience possible.

Myth #1: Art Fairs are for art professionals and seasoned collectors.

Art Fairs are like festivals for the visual arts. And while they tend to act as hubs of the art world – bringing varying members of the art community together, from artists and gallerists, to collectors and dealers – they are not industry-only events! Art fairs are open to the general public and admission is usually comparable to museum entry fees (Regular tickets to Plural 2024 are $25 with discounted student and senior rates available).

Art fairs are said to take the temperature of the contemporary art world; so they are a great way to see the freshest work from a wide range of artists, working across varying mediums and styles. See what you like and don’t like! Regardless of your background or whether you have any interest in collecting. They are also a great opportunity to meet artists and chat with them about your favorite pieces.

Myth #2: Contemporary art is expensive; you have to be rich to be a collector.

When you decide to purchase a work, it’s up to you to decide how much you want to spend. The more contemporary art you see – whether at commercial galleries, museums, artist-run centres or art fairs – the more you’ll realize there are artworks for every budget. And don’t forget! In the contemporary art world, emerging artists will usually sell their first works at more accessible prices, and as such can be a great entry point to collecting.

To gain more insight into collecting, join us for our guided tour “The Fair Through a Collector’s Eyes” on Saturday April 14, at 12pm.

Myth #3: You have to dress up to attend an Art Fair

Art fairs can be a fun occasion to dress-up, if you like, but it is far from mandatory or expected! Wear what makes you feel comfortable. Bring a sweater if you get cold easily.

Myth #4: You have to be an expert in art history to understand and collect art.

An artwork can hold many meanings simultaneously, and even if your interpretation differs from the intentions of the artist, this does not make your take on a work any less true or valid, just different. Visual art’s greatest strength is its ability to communicate a plethora of sensations, images or ideas beyond language. So, you don’t have to be an expert; you only need to be curious! Allow yourself to gravitate towards works you are drawn to or to be critical of works you dislike. What do or don’t you like about a piece and why?

And as there’s so much to see at art fairs and they can sometimes be overwhelming, instead of trying to take it all in, slow down and spend some quality time with a few pieces that catch your eye, as if getting to know a new friend. And if you’re interested in collecting, trust your instincts: is this the right piece for you and your space? Do you want to help support this artist’s career? Could you grow with this work over time?

Myth #5: What’s the point of art? My 5-year-old could do the same.

It’s often said that art holds up a mirror to society. Depending on your personal experience and aesthetic sensibilities, certain works will speak to you more than others, offering a moment to reflect on the world in which we live. Each work is the culmination of often a carefully thought-out artistic approach and many hours of work. It is also hard to assign value to a piece based on the complexity or simplicity of its visual execution: sometimes the concept carries more weight than the way it was made. Cultural, political, and socio-economic factors also come into play and deeply affect the origin stories of artworks. Find out more by talking to the gallerist or directly to the artist who made the work in question or join one of our free Plural Forum activities on a topic that interests you.

Still have questions? Email us at info@agac.ca! We’re happy to address any concerns you might have.