Starting today, Griffin Art Projects is collaborating with four emerging Vancouver gallerists — Franc Gallery, Mónica Reyes Gallery, Unit 17, and Wil Aballe Art Projects — to present the inaugural COMBINE Art Fair running until Dec. 5, 2021.
The first art fair to take place on the North Shore, COMBINE is a platform for new and aspiring collectors to learn about the West Coast art scene, and an opportunity for seasoned collectors to discover the latest local talents.
“The Vancouver art ecosystem is built on a delicate balance of interconnected elements: artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions,” says Lisa Baldissera, director of Griffin Art Projects. “Each is equally important in the process of nurturing a rich, diverse art scene. COMBINE Art Fair brings together emerging galleries while supporting collectors and bolstering the visibility of incredible artists all in one space. At a time when travelling to global art fairs is out of reach for many, the fair offers an experimental, collaborative model that will help reinvigorate the local scene.”
An idea borne of the pandemic, COMBINE highlights the resiliency of artists and demonstrates how art serves the local community. It’s a chance for members of the public to learn and grow alongside the galleries, all of which are less than a decade old. The annual event plans on expanding to exhibitors outside of the province in the future, following an invitation-only model rather than assigning booths by application.
For the inaugural edition, each gallery will present a variety of artists that best represents their programming. Affordable artworks by emerging artists will appeal to first-time buyers, while pieces by more established names will also be available for veteran collectors. Franc Gallery will present works by Matthis Grunsky, Glenn Lewis, and M.E. Sparks. Mónica Reyes Gallery will show Annie Briard, Elisabeth Perrault, Jayce Salloum, and others. Unit 17 will display works by Ezra Gray, Gabrielle L’Hirondelle Hill, Tania Willard, and more. Wil Aballe Art Projects will present Kate Metten, Daniel Giordano, Lyse Lemieux, Charles Campbell, and others.
The art fair will be accompanied by a thematic exhibition curated by Baldissera. Titled PIVOT, the group show will take place in the residency’s “bedroom” space, which will be transformed into a small gallery. An online panel discussion with the fair’s founders will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1pm. Co-hosted by Griffin and Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver, the talk will feature Wil Aballe (Wil Aballe Art Projects), Tobin Gibson (Unit 17), Ron Regan (Franc Gallery), Mónica Reyes (Mónica Reyes Gallery), and Lisa Baldissera (Griffin Art Projects).
COMBINE Art Fair runs December 2 to 5, 2021 Noon-5pm daily, at Griffin Art Projects Residency 1080 Welch St, North Vancouver. Find more details and book entry appointments at griffinartprojects.ca/combine.
Note: Proof of vaccination is required for all guests, timed entry admission every 30 minutes, limited to 10 guests