18th Annual Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair: SOFA CHICAGO 2011
+ THE INTUIT SHOW OF FOLK AND OUTSIDER ART
November 4-6, 2011
Opening Night Preview November 3
Festival Hall at Navy Pier, Chicago

THINK Creative Consulting (as SOFA/The Art Fair Company PR coordinator) worked in conjunction with Carol Fox and Associates (as local Chicago agent), and Barbara Smythe-Jones (as SOFA/The Art Fair Company writer) on these campaigns and public relations efforts.

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Excerpt from Wrap Report:

Strong Sales, Sophisticated Crowds, New Collectors - The 18th annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair: SOFA CHICAGO 2011 and its companion fair, The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art, enjoyed a very successful run Nov. 4 - 6 at Navy Pier. Produced by The Art Fair Company, more than 80 international SOFA and Intuit dealers from 13 countries wowed an estimated 30,000 fairgoers over the weekend. Over 2,600 persons attended Thursday's Opening Night during the course of the evening, and SOFA sponsor Chubb Personal Insurance feted 350 guests at a private reception in the Chubb VIP Lounge. Decorated by noted architect/designer Suzanne Lovell, the Chubb Lounge was a welcome retreat from the busy show floor for over 500 VIP cardholders. 9 Special Exhibits greeted fairgoers and 1,500 persons attended 30 Lecture Series presentations featuring world-renowned curators, collectors, critics, artists, and dealers.

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Excerpt from Best of the Best Report:

CHICAGO - Best of Best to See and Do at SOFA Chicago 2011 + The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art. Get your pARTy on! Joint Opening Night Public Preview, Thursday, Nov. 3, 7 - 9 pm. Join collectors, museum curators, art advisers, interior designers and architects, top artists and dealers, and young art enthusiasts for a festive evening of discovery. Mingle with an artful crowd, enjoy (good!) wine and hors d'oeuvres. Be among the first to view and acquire top artworks before the fairs open to the public. Enjoy one-on-one conversations with over 400 attending artists represented by 80 SOFA and Intuit dealers from 12 countries. Opening Night kicks off with an invitation-only preview at 5 pm for SOFA CHICAGO and Intuit Show VIP cardholders. SOFA sponsor Chubb Personal Insurance will host a private event in the Chubb VIP Lounge designed by architect/ designer Suzanne Lovell. The Public Preview begins at 7 pm/ Tickets are $50 and are available on sofaexpo.com or at the door beginning at 5 pm. Opening Night continues until 9 pm. Stop by the booth of European contemporary silversmiths, Thalen & Thalen (Francorchamps, Belgium) at 7:30 pm for the unveiling of its new Mega Bowl, aptly titled Windy City Bowl, which the dealer reports is "some 40 pounds of fine silver, valued at over $100,000." Also debuting Opening Night, large-scale aluminum sculpture Rose Tuxedo by world-renowned sculptor John Chamberlain (KM Fine Arts, Chicago), which has never been publicly exhibited before!

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Excerpt from SOFA Chicago Dealer Highlights:

CHICAGO - The 18th Annual Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair, SOFA CHICAGO 2011, enjoys the prestigious position of being the largest and longest continually running international gallery-based art fair in Chicago, a mainstay of the city's cultural and social calendar. SOFA CHICAGO 2011 + The Intuit Show of Folk & Outsider Art, presented by The Art Fair Company, will share Navy Pier'sFestival Hall (600 E. Grand Avenue) Friday, Nov. 4 - Sunday, Nov. 6. The SOFA CHICAGO and Intuit Show's joint Opening Night Preview on Thursday, Nov. 3 will be open to the public from 7 - 9 p.m. with ticket purchase.
SOFA CHICAGO 2011 features more than 60 international art galleries and dealers presenting museum-quality masterworks of art and design for sale. SOFA galleries bridge a wide range of cultures, art movements and historical periods.

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Excerpt from General Release:

CHICAGO — The Art Fair Company, based in Chicago, again presents two art fairs under one roof at Chicago's historic Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue) Friday, Nov. 4 – Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. For the second straight year, SOFA CHICAGO 2011, the critically acclaimed International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, will share the Pier's Festival Hall with The Intuit Show of Folk & Outsider Art. SOFA CHICAGO, now in its 18th year, enjoys the prestigious position of being the largest and longest continually running art fair in Chicago, a mainstay of the city's cultural and social calendar. The Chicago SunTimes hails SOFA CHICAGO as "amazing," and Bradley Lincoln of Chicago Home + Garden raves, "This is one of my favorite art shows in Chicago– I guarantee you will see some flashy, jaw dropping works of…genius." The SOFA CHICAGO and Intuit Show's joint Opening Night Preview on Thursday, Nov. 3 will be open to the public from 7 – 9 p.m. with ticket purchase. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sofaexpo.com.

For the seventh straight year, SOFA CHICAGO 2011 is sponsored in part by Chubb Personal Insurance, one of the world's preeminent insurers of fine homes, art, antiques, jewelry, automobiles, yachts and other prized possessions. SOFA CHICAGO 2011 will again feature more than 60 international art galleries and dealers presenting museum-quality art and design for sale.

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More press coverage for this fair >>

ABC 7 Chicago 11AM News
Chicago Sun Times
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Happenings
ABC Chicago Morning News
WGN-TV "Around Town"
Daily Herald
Flavorpill
ChicagoShopping.com
Northwest Herald
Metromix Chicago
Chicago Reader
RedEye Chicago
Huffington Post
Chicago Now
Apartment Therapy
Shore Magazine
Racked
Michigan Avenue
Chicago Reader - Fall Arts Preview
Ornament Magazine
Fra Noi Magazine
Art & Antiques Magazine
Chigago Life
Cleveland Jewish News
Columbia Daily Tribune
Herald-Citizen
Fine Art Publicity
Florida Design Magazine
American Style
Arts and Antique Weekly
Chicago Magazine
CS Interiors - Calendar
Frommers
Southwest Art
Where Chicago
Western Art & Architecture
Woodshop News
Ceramics Monthly
Examiner.com
Art & Auctions - Calendar
Artikdecor

 

PRESS COVERAGE
Client: The Art Fair Company
Place: Chicago
Purpose: 18th Annual Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair: SOFA CHICAGO 2011
Pre- and Post-Fair Public Relations Coordination and On-Site Event Press Liaison

Visit client website >

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