As demand soars from international fashion chains for a Mayfair address, many galleries are being forced to relocate to upstairs offices or move to outlying districts, threatening the survival of this preeminent art district. As an alternative way to discover Mayfair’s thriving art scene, Brown’s Hotel is offering exclusive weekly Saturday morning art tours introducing guests to the exhibitions taking place in leading galleries. Each week a different participating gallery director will take guests on a personal tour of some of their favourite shows and galleries, helping international art lovers navigate their way through the hundreds of private shows that collectively make Mayfair one of the world’s greatest art destinations.
The tour begins at Brown’s, from which point visitors will learn that London’s art world takes place not only at street level in galleries in Cork Street, but also behind the doors of magnificent period townhouses and in upstairs ‘appointment only’ offices and studies. The close proximity of these galleries has created one of the world’s most vibrant art markets and these tours will demonstrate the diversity and knowledge of Mayfair’s galleries and introduce visitors to the pleasures of an art world that lies beyond the gloss of the art fair and preview party. Each tour is designed to open the eyes of the visitor to a range of artworks that are diverse in nature yet complementary, and to many are yet unseen. Brown’s Hotel, home to numerous notable art works by artists including Tracey Emin, Mat Collishaw, Bridget Riley and Michael Landy, recognises that these Saturday tours come at a critical time for London’s galleries.
It is hoped that by drawing attention to the significant cultural and economic impact provided by Mayfair’s galleries, the hotel’s initiative will encourage the preservation of the galleries in Mayfair and maintain the area’s unique status on the global cultural stage. The Brown’s Saturday Art Tour is open to all, and costs £60 per person and includes: • Coffee/tea in The Library at Brown’s Hotel on arrival (10.30am – 11am) • Tour of 4 galleries in the surrounding Mayfair area, guided by one of the principals of the partaking galleries. (A member of The Concierge Team at Brown’s Hotel, comprised of a mix of artists and art enthusiasts, will also be in attendance on the art tours) • Set 3 course lunch in HIX Mayfair following the art tour at approximately 1pm (excluding wines) Please note that numbers are limited to 8 guests per art tour so advance booking is recommended. Participating galleries include Albemarle Gallery, Andrew Clayton Payne, The Belgravia Gallery, Ben Brown Fine Arts, Browse and Darby, Connaught Brown, Faggionato Fine Art, Fine Art Society, Gallery of African Art, Gazelli Art House, Hall Master Paintings, Isaac and Ede, The John Martin Gallery, John Mitchell Fine Paintings, MALLETT, Marlborough Fine Art, Messum’s, Pace London, Phillip Mould, Portland Gallery, Sladmore Contemporary, Thomas Williams Fine Art, Vigo Gallery and William Thuillier.