East of England’s biggest Art Fair returns for 2021

One of the biggest contemporary art fairs outside of London is set to return for 2021. Art Fair East annually hosts artists, galleries and art dealers from across the world, attracting thousands of visitors to St Andrews Hall in Norwich, Norfolk. The fair, now in its sixth year, will re-emerge to share the buzz of the real-life art world after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

With around 1,000 artworks on display, a range of contemporary art will be exhibited including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, video art, installation, performance and original limited edition prints. This year’s fair will run from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th December at St Andrews Hall in Norwich.

As the major art fair for the East, the fair was founded in 2015 by leading Norfolk-based artists Will Teather and Brian Korteling, who will both be exhibiting at the event. The pair are passionate about bringing contemporary art to the region, supporting artists and creating excitement around the visual arts.

Mr Teather, who has had his work showcased at New York's Market & Design Fair, said: “We are thrilled to see the fair finally return after an extraordinary year. We can't wait to see the artworld we know and love start to reemerge. “Artworks are objects to be seen and enjoyed in the flesh, rather than online, and there is nothing quite like meeting the artist in person or talking to an expert, as is often possible at art fairs. “We have received a record number of applications to take part in the event and alongside national and international artists being brought by dealers we already have many local talents, including both figurative surrealists like Chedgie and landscape painters like Alice Wilton, on board.”

Mr Korteling added: “It's really great to be able to transform St Andrews Hall into an art space once again. I know for a fact that artists have not been resting on their laurels during lockdown so we can expect to see lots of new, vibrant and inspirational works of art.”

Organisers have also confirmed a new sponsor for this year’s event. East Anglian wealth management firm Chadwicks are supporting Art Fair East alongside longstanding supporters Musker McIntyre Estate Agents.

Mr Teather said: “We are delighted to have Chadwicks joining us alongside our long-term sponsors Musker McIntyre, who have stood by us since the fair was just a pipe-dream. These two outward-looking dynamic companies, that serve the Eastern Region, reflect our ongoing vision for the event to be a major Art Fair for the East of England. Long may it continue."

Director of Chadwicks Richard Ross said: “We are delighted to support this event alongside Musker McIntyre. This year it seems particularly important that the events go ahead. “It has been an extremely difficult year for everyone, particularly the arts, culture and entertainment sectors. Supporting Art Fair East will not only provide a real boost for the sector, but for the local business community too – and give clear signal for better times ahead! “The most important thing we do with our clients is to help them look at things differently so it’s wonderful for us to be able to support such a prestigious art fair.”

Independent estate agents Musker McIntyre have been supporting Art Fair East since the event launched in 2015. Owner of Musker McIntyre Estate Agents & Financial Services Simon McIntyre said: “After a tough 18 months, especially for the arts, I think it's important to have something to celebrate. “I truly believe the arts should be supported - after all where would we be without art?! Art Fair East showcases some of the brightest talent in the region, bringing together artists across all genres under one roof. That's why the team at Musker McIntyre are proud to support the event again this year.”

There is still time for artists, dealers and galleries to apply to exhibit at the event - visit www.artfaireast.com

 20 July 2021 
Appointment of new Director for the Sainsbury Centre: Jago Cooper
UEA and the Board of the Sainsbury Centre have appointed Jago Cooper as the new Director of the Centre and Professor of Art and Archaeology, who starts on Monday 15 November. 

Professor Cooper has spent more than 20 years working on a diverse range of cultural projects around the world, always centred on the study and communication of visual and material culture. 
After ten years as Head of the Americas Section at the British Museum and Director of the Santo Domingo Centre of Excellence for Latin American Research, these collaborations have led to a series of innovative exhibitions, artistic commissions and international exchange programmes that challenge traditional museum practice. 

With a particular interest in using digital technologies to reach new audiences and cut across multiple academic disciplines, his work spans the subjects of art, museology and archaeology. In addition to his books and exhibitions, Jago has also written and presented a series of BBC documentaries based on his research and international collaborations. 

Professor Cooper said: “Since its inspired creation in the 1970s, the Sainsbury Centre has always been a place that breaks the rules in how Art and Culture should be seen and experienced. I am absolutely delighted to be joining such an inspirational institution that brings powerful stories to a global audience through its outstanding collections. 

“I can’t wait to start working with the team to develop further the exciting programme of upcoming exhibitions, acquisitions and collaborative projects inspired by the Sainsbury collection and in many ways also by the world-leading research carried out at UEA.” 

Dominic Christian, Chair of Sainsbury Centre board, said: “It with enormous pleasure and great warmth that we are delighted to welcome Jago as the new Director of the Sainsbury Centre. He is truly an outstanding talent. 

“Thanks to the excellence of both the Executive Director Paul Greenhalgh, and Acting Director Ghislaine Wood, Jago comes to an environment proud of its history, excited at its future and thrilled at the leadership he will bring to it.” 

Professor Sarah Barrow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts and Humanities at UEA, said: “The University looks forward to working with Jago and all the team at the Sainsbury Centre to support their work and extend our collaborations in research, learning, engagement and innovation activity. 

“We are proud of our association with such a wonderful beacon for visual arts on our campus and excited about the possibilities of creating new connections amongst faculty as well as with regional and international partners.” 

Notes: 
The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is one of the most important public university art galleries in Britain. It was founded in 1973 at the University of East Anglia (UEA) with the support of one of the nation’s great philanthropic families, Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, who donated their extraordinary art collection which includes works dating from prehistory to the late 20th century from across the globe. A radical new building by Norman Foster was designed to house the collection and was his first public work. 

The Sainsbury Centre holds one of the most impressive art collections outside of the national institutions. It includes a significant number of works by modern masters of European art such as Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Jacob Epstein, Jean Arp, Chaïm Soutine and Amedeo Modigliani. There are major holdings from Oceania, Africa, the Americas, Asia, the ancient Mediterranean cultures of Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as Medieval Europe. Alongside these permanent collections, it hosts a range of exhibitions in the largest suite of temporary exhibitions galleries in Eastern England. sainsburycentre.ac.uk 

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a UK Top 25 university and is ranked in the top 50 globally for research citations. Known for its world-leading research and good student experience, it was awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and is a leading member of Norwich Research Park, one of Europe’s biggest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science. In 2020/21, UEA celebrated 50 years of Creative Writing education and research. www.uea.ac.uk 

Very pleased to announce that the Norfolk Arts Visual Arts Award category is a 'win/win' with one of our group, Gennadiy Ivanov nominated, as well as Norwich 20 Group!

Here's a link to online coverage, with a report in today's EDP and Evening News - on p2 of the What's On section.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/things-to-do/days-out/norfolk-arts-awards-nominees-announced-8142720

Attached is an image of many group members from one of our monthly open meetings (photo taken by Simon Marshall - thanks), which we very much hope can resume from September.

A few words from current Chair, Brigitte Hague:

'I’m absolutely delighted to hear we have been nominated for a Norfolk Arts Award!  

It’s been a very difficult time for everyone in the arts this year and it’s been a true team effort between the committee and members to keep in touch with everyone and ensure we were able to exhibit. 

Norwich 20 Group has a long history of being an active part of the local art scene, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed to our activities over recent years - helping to support our members and bring art to the local community during the pandemic.

Many thanks to the Hostry Festival and EDP for all their support and recognition.

Many congratulations to N20G member Gennadiy Ivanov too, who is also shortlisted for his own projects which bring together works which often highlight difficult subjects. Recognition well deserved for all the hard work'.