New York International Tribal and Textile Arts Show cancelled

Another New York fair falls victim to economic climate.

THE New York International Tribal and Textile Arts Show, normally held in May, has been cancelled this year.

The New York show scene has been badly hit by the economic downturn and promoter Caskey-Lees said that as of early March, only 24 exhibitors had signed up for this niche event. In a letter to exhibitors, Bill Caskey and Elizabeth Lees wrote: “To attempt to produce and promote a show, with any reasonable level of quality, for only 24 exhibitors would result in a loss of several hundred thousand dollars.” Exhibitors’ deposits will be returned.

“This was an exceptionally difficult decision for us both,” Bill Caskey said. “We have, over the past two years, redesigned and re-priced all our specialty shows to help dealers and collectors through this difficult economy.”

The San Francisco Textile and Tribal Arts Show will continue, as will Caskey-Lee’s other niche market fairs, including the New York Arts of Pacific Asia Show, which opens on March 24.

Manhattan organiser Sanford Smith announced the cancellation of his 22-year-old Works on Paper fair, scheduled for the Park Avenue Armory in February, citing the economic climate, while Haugton International Fairs, who have axed New York shows of 20th century design and Asian art in recent times, have also chosen to ‘postpone’ this spring’s staging of the International Fine Art Fair.