Eighth Annual San Francisco International Art Exposition originally planned for January 13 - 16, 2006 has been canceled.

The Eighth Annual San Francisco International Art Exposition originally planned for January 13 - 16, 2006 has been canceled.

Thomas Blackman Associates (TBA), which has organized the San Francisco fair, explains in a press release:

"Many factors led to this decision: despite steady sales and strong attendance, the show has diminished in size in recent years by about 30%. Support for the show from local art galleries has also weakened over the past two years, which contributed to the organizer’s concern for the success of the visiting galleries from outside San Francisco. "

Thomas Blackman, President of TBA explains that, “It is with great reluctance that I have taken this step; it has been a very difficult decision to make and announce. Many of our exhibitors developed lasting relationships with clients in California, and I sincerely hope they will have the opportunity to re-connect at SFIAE again at some point in the near future.”

Currently there are no plans to stage another San Francisco International Art Exposition.

Though always less than perfect, the San Francisco International Art Exhibition had become a yearly event that helped bring together the disparate elements of the Bay Area art world. San Francisco is a notoriously cliquey city and this fair helped create dialogue and camaraderie among gallerists, artists and collectors.

The yearly Art Expositions will be missed.