Once upon a time, the majority of blue-chip art market transactions happened in the heart of Manhattan, London, or most recently Hong Kong. But with global events scattering collectors and their dollars to the four winds, galleries and auction houses are following suit, establishing themselves in seasonal hotspots from the Hamptons in the summer to St. Moritz and Palm Beach in the winter.
The latest to do so is mega-gallery Pace, which has outposts in New York, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Geneva, and Palo Alto.
After expanding into East Hampton earlier this year, the gallery is setting up shop in Palm Beach, making its debut there with a showing of works by California-based light artist James Turrell on November 9.
The new gallery digs are in the Royal Poinciana Plaza, a 1950s architectural gem by John L. Volk that has already welcomed Acquavella Galleries and auction giant Sotheby’s.
“For generations, Palm Beach has been a winter destination for our clients,” says Pace vice president Adam Sheffer, who is spearheading the gallery’s southern expansion.
“Opening there seemed a logical next step in a fruitful business model. As we have learned from our East Hampton experience, when clients can view art in a more casual setting, it naturally leads to longer, more in-depth engagement with the works on view.”
“James Turrell” runs November 9 to December 5 at Pace Palm Beach
