Metropolitan West
Volta Art Fair has been bought by Ramsay Fairs from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc owners of Armory Art Fair. Ramsay Fairs already own Affordable Art Fair and the Pulse Art Fair. The news about Volta Art Fair’s sale was first reported in the Financial Times.
Will Ramsay, CEO and Founder of Ramsay Fairs, explains:
“As a regular visitor to VOLTA, I have always been impressed by the mix of dealers, the ascent of artists shown and its appeal to collectors in both Basel and New York. The fair has a welcoming feel and strong leadership. I am delighted we have been able to acquire such a gem. We plan to invest more in marketing and the fair experience, and hope that we can continue to build VOLTA thanks to our expertise in running over 200 art fairs so far, coupled with my experience as Co-Founder of ArtHongKong, then Board Member of ArtBasel in HK, and Board Member of Taipei Dangdai, India Art Fair, and ArtCentral in HK.”
Amanda Coulson, Co-Founder of VOLTA, will become a Board member of VOLTA within the Ramsay Fairs group along with Will Ramsay (CEO Ramsay Fairs and PULSE Founder) and Cristina Salmastrelli (Managing Director, Ramsay Fairs LLC and PULSE Director). Chris de Angelis (Managing Director of VOLTA) will remain, alongside Brian Fee (Communication Manager) and Kerstin Herd (Marketing Manager). Amanda will be less involved in the day to day now that her duties as Executive Director at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) require more of her time, especially in the wake of the recent devastating hurricane. Ramsay Fairs are looking to recruit an Artistic Director.
Amanda Coulson commented:
“I am delighted VOLTA has been acquired by Ramsay Fairs, one of the world’s leading Art Fair organising specialists, who really understand galleries and the art scene. VOLTA has an exciting future ahead of it under the Ramsay Fairs banner and I am happy to take more of a back seat, entrusting the bulk of the organizing work under their knowledgeable leadership. With the proof of concept demonstrated by a full house of enthusiastic dealers, attendance by serious collectors and the constant progression of artists that started at VOLTA being highlighted at main fairs globally, VOLTA will continue to play a key role in the international art calendar.”
Ramsay Fairs, which saw artwork sales of over £33 million last year alone at 14 fairs, will bring its wealth of experience in catering for collectors as well as attracting the next generation of art buyers.
Reflecting its boutique roots, VOLTA New York will return 4th – 8th March 2020 at Metropolitan West, a smaller venue near the Piers. In keeping with VOLTA’s original profile as a fair for discovery across the world, it’s New York exhibitor list will feature approximately 60 international galleries.
VOLTA Basel will take place 15th – 20th June 2020 at Elsässerstrasse 215.
VOLTA New York 2020
Wednesday 4 March – Sunday 8 March 2020
Metropolitan West, 639 W 46th St @ 12th Ave, New York
VOLTA Basel 2020
Monday 15 June – Saturday 20 June 2020
Elsässerstrasse 215, Basel
