ART SAN DIEGO, with presenting sponsor UBS Financial Services, closed the 5th Edition of the Fair last week reporting strong sales, record attendance, and a very enthusiastic guest response. Over the course of the four days nearly 14,000 collectors and art lovers attended. The four-day event kicked off with a VIP opening event that welcomed close to 3,000 collectors – the largest opening night to date.

ART SAN DIEGO 2013 also saw a record number of exhibitors with 80 galleries, Spotlight Artists, Art Labs, and a Launchpad Artist showing a variety of contemporary art and contemporary furniture. The 5th Edition showcased an international mix of exhibitors from France, Buenos Aires, Russia, Poland, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and numerous exhibitors from the United States.

Sales reports from participating galleries were outstanding: “We had over $50,000 in art sales during the first few days of the fair, and have several sales pending with collectors we met at the fair. It was a wonderful experience to be part of an event that celebrates the San Diego art community”, noted Alexander Salazar, owner of White Box Contemporary & Alexander Salazar Fine Art, San Diego.

ART SAN DIEGO continues to attract established collectors, as well as a new, younger generation of art lovers: “As a solo-artist, it was a terrific experience: I was able to meet so many potential buyers and speak to many other solo-artists and galleries. At the end, I sold six paintings at full price, and a seventh painting is on its way to Florence, Italy where I will be represented in the future by a gallery I met at the fair,” said Pete Garcia of Pelayo Studios.

This year’s theme, [ COLLIDE ] lived up to its name – with numerous fantastic creative collisions occurring at the fair. One attendee described it as a “living environment” of creativity. Highlights included an exhibition featuring the sculpture work of James Watts juxtaposed against a 50’ long mural by Japanese artist Shinichi Sugimoto “City of Gravity” - a stunning pairing; a large exhibition of rare, newly discovered photographs from Robert Mapplethorpe, THE AGENCY - 1983, his first fashion photography commission in NYC; and The Salon Project: paintings by Raul Guerrero featuring portraits of of John Baldessari, Robert Matheny and Erika Torri.

Performance highlights included a piece by performance artist Avery Lawrence entitled “Mowing the Lawn” – which became a media favorite during the week with front page stories in City Beat, Pacific San Diego and Riviera Magazine. Larry and Debby Kline’s “pop-up” vignettes created interactive opportunities for attendees to engage. The Art Lab designed by the New School of Architecture Students from the Alpha Rho Chi, and their dynamic and movable designs for the fair’s center lounge, was also a huge success. The Silent Disco event took on a life of its own with headset – wearing music lovers roaming the fair orchestrated by the music of DubLab.com choreographing flash mob scenes at random times throughout the evening. Art Talk with rock photography icon Henry Diltz attracted hundreds of rapt listeners.

ART SAN DIEGO would like to thank its sponsors: UBS Financial Services, San Diego County Acura Dealers, Robertson Taylor International Insurance Brokers, Inc., Willis Allen Real Estate, Bender & Gritz, KoBrand, Paddle8, ScanTech Graphics, ArtStrong Bags, Turon Travel, Ecor Noble Technologies, Malama Composites, Craters & Freighters, 3Doddler, W San Diego, Lafayette Hotel & Suites, Charles Koll Jewellers, Giuseppe Fine Catering, Stone Brewing Co., Gobie H20, Uber Transportation, Wilson-Wirth Design, American Society of Appraisers, Pro Heraldica USA, and Silent Storm Sound System.

“Our whole team at UBS is so appreciative to Ann and all those who made this year’s Art San Diego truly the best yet! This year, we worked with several non-profits to create an opportunity to expose kids in this community to more of the art and culture that exists throughout San Diego. The uniqueness of Art San Diego is its ability to bring together a variety of museums, collectors clubs, and other groups in San Diego, under one roof and connect us with art from around the world. We are so proud to be associated with Art San Diego,” said Chris Marsh, Managing Director, UBS Financial Services.