Save the Date for These Affordable Art Events in NYC
Plan your next NYC trip around buying budget-friendly art from these markets, shops, and fairs.
Filling the sterile, white walls of a studio apartment can seem like a seriously expensive investment. At least, that’s what most people believe. In actuality, New York City is replete with galleries, shops, and seasonal events touting unique pieces of artwork that promise to not completely drain your bank account. Here’s to skipping the pricey galleries and virtual haggling on Facebook Marketplace or Ebay in favor of rooting through the city’s verifiable treasure troves at special art events and under-the-radar shops. Whether you’re on the hunt for moody photography or antique posters, here are the best art fairs and places to find affordable art in NYC.
Chelsea
Since 1999, the Affordable Art Fair has made it possible for people to decorate their ridiculously overpriced apartments with seriously affordable art. First held in London in 1999, the fair is now held across the world in cities like Austin, Stockholm and, of course, in New York City. The biannual event (usually held in September and March) is located at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea and features a wide array of budget-friendly works by local, national, and international creatives. Original artworks are fairly priced between $100 and $10,000 (which, yes, is actually considered “affordable”).
Long Island City
Sculptures, photographs, and wooden figurines are just a few of the works you’ll find at the largest arts festival in Queens. Since 2011, the LIC Arts Open has expanded from a two-day open studio event into a four-day celebration of the borough’s performing and visual arts scene. It’s free to the public, and a great opportunity to meet the creators in the community and find the perfect piece of art to complement your one exposed brick wall. The event typically takes place in May, so keep your eyes peeled.
DUMBO
If you thought flea markets were just for vintage clothes and dusty antiques, think again. At the Brooklyn Flea (which operates every Sunday beneath the arch of the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO), vendors come to hawk their artworks and decorative crafts. Part of the appeal of this experience is that you never know who’s going to be set up and what they’ll be selling, from mounted sculptures to framed illustrations.
Brooklyn Heights
First opened in 2012 in Ditmas Park, Collyer’s Mansion is a haven for home goods and furniture fanatics. In 2015, the then-tiny-shop relocated to its current location in Brooklyn Heights where it sits snugly among the neighborhood’s historic brownstones. What people tend to forget about this spot is that it sports an impressive collection of art. Pieces range from $1,900 oil-on-canvas landscapes from a New York Academy of Art graduate to $120 stitchings.
West Village
For those curating a particularly vintage aesthetic for their apartments, La Belle Epoque Vintage Poster is a can’t-miss. Here, the specialty is retro posters from the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Mid-Century eras. All dated between the 1880s to the 1990s, these artworks preserve long-lost times through vibrant illustrations and eye-catching lettering.
SoHo
The goal of Lumas is to provide art lovers with access to unique and beautiful artwork, without the massive price tag. All artworks are signed by the artist (which greatly increases their value) and are accompanied by an authenticity certificate that provides the format, date, edition size, and edition number. Browse everything from paintings and photographs to digital works, skateboards, sculptures, and mirrors.
Williamsburg
Mother of Junk is a fantastically random gold mine of goodies. Biggest thing to know if you come here: Be prepared to dig. There’s little rhyme or reason to the “organization” of the many aisles and shelves, which lends to its charm. Take home everything from sepia-toned photographs to serene still-life paintings without having to haggle some sort of payment plan.
Tribeca
Founded by the avid art collector Philip Williams in 1973, this eponymous shop is a thing of wonder when it comes to its poster selection. With more than 500,000 pieces available in its collection, the shop caters to any and all tastes. Additionally, the business offers services like linen backing, restoration, and custom framing. If you’re more of an online shopper, we love scrolling through the $50 and under category.