Alt_break Art Fair 2016: SHIFT_ Launches During Armory Art Fair Exhibiting Contemporary Art for Nonprofits

New York, NY, February 27, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​alt_break art fair, a curator-driven art fair with an altruistic purpose, is launching this March 3rd through 6th during Armory Art Fair week 2016. alt_break features contemporary art placed at various nonprofit sites in New York City, dedicating a portion of proceeds to participating nonprofits who work to bring about positive social change in New York City.

Admission to the fair is free and events are set during Armory Week 2016, with a PDF map of sites available on the fair's website: altbreakartfair.org.

"Our mission is supporting the vibrant impact made by New York City's nonprofits through exhibiting cutting-edge contemporary art at these sites to encourage further engagement"

Audra Lambert, Founder, alt_break art fair

For its inaugural version, alt_break art fair takes as its theme SHIFT_ , denoting an emphasis on shifting attention and resources to the crucial work performed by community-building nonprofits located in New York City. This is accomplished by placing contemporary art for sale at sites located in the vicinity of such art fairs as the Armory Art Show, Scope, and SPRING/BREAK. All sites are located within a short walk of the art fairs, with 25% of proceeds from art sales and event-related donations going directly to participating nonprofits.

alt_break is the first philanthropic, multi-site art fair in New York City and is helmed by four curators, working with four artists and located across multiple sites. Nonprofit host partners include Fountain House Gallery, which showcases work by artists with mental illness, and the Centre for Social Innovation, a co-sharing space that is devoted to hosting organizations creating positive social change. This year's curators include founder and curator Audra Lambert, curator Kimi Kitada, artist/curator Victoria Manganiello and artist/curator Adam Zucker. Participating artists are Jee Hee Kang at Centre for Social Innovation, Anne-Marie Lavigne, Sean Naftel at various sites, and Lizz Brady: Brady will contribute a sound installation while Reba Hasko, Ryan Krause, and Geraldo Mercado are participating with performances at the Fountain House Gallery. The opening night launch event is being held at the newly opened Maldonado Projects in Chelsea. The fair will wrap up with a closing panel and reception at the Centre for Social Innovation at the iconic Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea. Fairgoers are encouraged to visit sites on our alt_break art fair map which includes the locations of our host organization sites, affiliates and sponsors all designated according to the map key.

Nonprofit beneficiaries from this event include the Fountain House and the various organizations hosted by the Centre for Social Innovation, with affiliated sites Creative Art Works and Hudson Guild, a non-alt break host who has autonomously curated an exhibit with artist Jodie Stahl: Wayfarers and Warblers at the Elliott Community Center (441 W 26th Street) that is worth visiting. Fountain House Gallery is also showing the exhibit One Step Beyond, on view through March 9 on display concurrently with alt_break's programming at the site and featuring Fountain House artists.

We encourage visitors to the many Armory art week fairs to explore our map and take a moment to visit these sites. We are excited for visitors to learn about our host and affiliates' organizational values while enjoying new and inspiring exhibits of cutting-edge contemporary art. Come out and view the best contemporary art has to offer while experiencing first-hand the dedication of nonprofits based in New York City. For further information on the fair and press inquiries please contact: antecedentprojects@gmail.com

EVENTS---

​alt_break Launch Event: Thursday, March 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Maldonado Projects: 516 W. 25th Street #306B (between 10th & 11th Ave.) - Launch features curators and artists in attendance with raffle prizes and refreshments provided by special sponsor.

alt_break Closing Panel / Celebration: Sunday, March 6 from 2-4 pm, Center for Social Innovation: Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W. 26th Street, 3rd Floor (West of 11th Ave.) - Panel with alt_break curators Audra Lambert, Kimi Kitada, Victoria Manganiello and Adam Zucker with special guest in conversation, moderated by community-based nonprofit teaching artist Andrew Kaminski from Creative Art Works. Reception to follow with refreshments, view into CSI common space.