The IAAF-Izmir Art and Antique Fair, which was organized for the first time last year and received great acclaim, opened its doors to meet art lovers for the second time this year at Fuar Izmir. The opening ceremony of the fair, which will host valuable artists and distinguished galleries from all over Türkiye and different geographies of the world in Izmir for five days, brought together important names of the art community. At the ceremony, the “Art Support Award” was presented to Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay for the great support the city gives to art. Mayor Tugay said in his speech while receiving his award, “Izmir is a city of people who value art very much. Art suits Izmir very well, and Izmir suits art very well. We will carry out many different activities related to art during my term of office. Izmir will be one of the meeting points for artists.”
Art and Antique Lovers Come Together at Fuar Izmir
Hosted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by the experienced fair organization company Demos Fairs, this year's opening ceremony of the IAAF- Izmir Art and Antiques Fair was held with the participation of leading names from the art world. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his esteemed wife Öznur Tugay, Gaziemir District Governor Kudret Kurnaz, Demos Fairs Board of Directors Chairman Sebahattin Aslan, İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, valuable artists and many art lovers attended the ceremony. During the opening ceremony, Demos Fairs Board of Directors Chairman Sebahattin Aslan presented Mayor Tugay with a meaningful gift of Atatürk. After the opening ribbon was cut, Mayor Tugay and his wife Öznur Tugay toured the fairgrounds, examined the original works of the artists closely and had friendly conversations with the artists.
Full Support and Growth Vision for the Fair from President Tugay
Emphasizing the importance that Izmir gives to art in his speech at the opening ceremony, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said, “I was very happy when I visited this fair last year, which we have organized and hosted for the second time. It was very enjoyable to be in such an environment and smell the art. It is a great pleasure that this fair has been held this year and that we are hosting an important meeting. Similar fairs are organized in other cities in Türkiye, but we really want to expand and develop this fair. As the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality family, we will always be ready to do whatever is necessary in this process. We believe that Izmir is a city of people who value art very much. Art suits Izmir very well, and Izmir suits art very well. We live in such a city. We have many artists. We also see the efforts of our young artists to exist, develop themselves and be understood on various occasions. We also experience stories that impress us very much. Supporting them and creating a city environment where they can breathe, be productive and improve themselves is one of our most important goals.”
Izmir Will Become the Center of Art and Artists
Drawing attention to the rich cultural heritage of Anatolian lands, President Tugay said, “We are aware of the cultural values of our country, and we are aware that supporting them is one of our most important duties. We are working to create art in every corner of Izmir and provide more opportunities for artists, and we will continue to do so. My term of office is approximately 4 years away. During this time, we will carry out many different activities related to art. Izmir will be one of the meeting points for artists with our new museums, galleries, and workshops. It will be an environment where art and artists are valued,” and gave the good news that Izmir will become even more important in the art world in the future. Demos Fair Chairman of the Board of Directors Sebahattin Aslan wished all participants, “I wish you a beautiful, art-filled week. We will be surrounded by art for five days.”
Meaningful Award to President Tugay and Thanks to the Art World
Following the opening ceremony of the İzmir Art and Antique Fair, a ceremony was held where awards were presented to prominent figures who contributed to art. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay was deemed worthy of the “Art Support Award” for the valuable support the city provides to art. The award was presented to Mayor Tugay by Demos Fair Organization Board Chairman Sebahattin Aslan. İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu was also among the names deemed worthy of the award for her uninterrupted support to Turkish fairs since 1923. Also at the ceremony; the Best Art Institution Award was given to ARKAS SANAT Center, the Painter of the Year Award was given to master artist Yalçın Gökçebağ, the Young Ceramic Artist of the Year Award was given to the talented Dila Naz Akgün, the Sculptor of the Year Award was given to Tuğrul Selçuk, who is known for his original works, the Support for Art Award was given to Burcu Yazgan Parlak, the Foreign Artist of the Year Award was given to internationally recognized Marat Bekey, and the Collector of the Year Award was given to valuable collector Yusuf Bulut Öztürk. In honor of Korea, the guest country of the fair, a special award was presented to artist Choi Kyurak. In addition, a thank you award was presented to Serdar Yörük from ESKİİZ Art Gallery for his valuable support to the fair.
Thousands of Works Meet Art Lovers
IAAF- Izmir Art and Antique Fair attracts attention with its rich content this year as well. At the fair, valuable works of over 500 local and foreign artists, more than 8 paintings and sculptures are presented to art lovers. The event covers innovative examples of contemporary art, the timeless beauty of classical paintings, the historical texture of antique objects, tiles, ceramics, glass, It brings together a wide range of works from different disciplines of wood and sculpture. More than a hundred distinguished galleries and independent art initiatives will take their place in this special event, bringing together the different colors and forms of expression of art with the people of Izmir. The fair, which will be open until May 11, 2025, can be visited every day between 11.00:19.00 and 8:19.30. The fair is an important meeting point, hosting not only art lovers but also collectors. Various workshops to be organized by expert artists in their fields will offer participants the opportunity to be directly involved in creative processes, while live concerts to be organized every day will add dynamism and pleasure to the atmosphere of the fair. The magnificent concert given by world-famous pianist Gülsin Onay on the first day of the fair attracted great attention. In the following days of the fair, master musician Kerem Görsev on May 10 at 19.30:XNUMX and beloved tenor Hakan Aysev on May XNUMX at XNUMX:XNUMX will give visitors unforgettable moments full of art with special concerts.
