The longest-running art fair in Korea, the Galleries Art Fair, returned to Suwon for the second consecutive year, reaffirming the growing potential of the contemporary art market in the southern metropolitan area. Held from June 26 to 29 at the Suwon Convention Center (SCC), the 2025 edition welcomed over 33,000 visitors—an increase of more than 10% compared to the previous year—underscoring Suwon’s rising status as an emerging hub for contemporary art distribution.

This year’s fair featured 104 top-tier galleries affiliated with the Korea Galleries Association, presenting works by more than 600 artists, ranging from emerging talents to established masters. Young artists such as Yoon Widong, Shin Jia, Oh Yubin, Jung Sooyoung, and Jenny Park garnered significant attention, while works by mid-career and blue-chip artists like Chae Sungpil, Lee Kangso, and Kwak Hoon also enjoyed sustained popularity.
 
A notable trend was the strong turnout of young families, including new collectors from the Gwanggyo New Town area who actively purchased moderately priced artworks. The fair’s focus on representing exclusive artists, along with accessible pricing strategies and inclusive programming, effectively lowered the barriers to art collecting and broadened audience engagement.

The VIP and press preview day alone drew more than 4,700 visitors. Throughout the four-day event, guided tours, art talks, and kids’ programs contributed to longer visitor stays and deeper engagement. The docent program, organized in collaboration with Art Salon Ogrim, sold out every session. Public lectures such as “Demystifying Art Fairs,” “Tax Essentials for New Collectors,” and “Understanding Korean Contemporary Art Through Keywords” were met with overwhelming enthusiasm, often exceeding seating capacity.

Outdoor events further enriched the visitor experience, expanding the ways in which art could be enjoyed. “Galleries Night,” live jazz performances under the title “Lake Vibe,” and a wine festival created a casual and festive atmosphere. Pet stroller rentals also added to the fair’s accessibility, catering to visitors with companion animals.

Locally integrated programs stood out as well. A special exhibition titled 《Suwonjang: Your Landscape》, Your Taste, co-organized with the Suwon Cultural Foundation, offered local artists the opportunity to connect with both gallerists and the public. The children’s workshop Let’s Draw!—where kids crafted traditional Korean moon jars by hand—proved especially popular with families.

The impact of the event extended far beyond sales figures. According to the fair’s organizing committee, “This year’s fair was more than just an exhibition or market—it played a crucial role in cultivating a new art-buying demographic centered in Suwon, while contributing to the long-term expansion of the local cultural ecosystem.” They added, “The active participation of young collectors drove sales of works that emphasized accessibility and practicality over prestige, helping establish a sustainable base for the art market in southern Gyeonggi Province.”

Lee Seonghoon, Chairman of the Korea Galleries Association, commented, “Suwon is emerging as a major cultural center in the southern capital region. This fair helped foster an environment where contemporary art can be appreciated as a close and everyday part of life.”

By offering a concrete model for expanding Korea’s art market beyond Seoul, the ‘2025 Galleries Art Fair in Suwon’ presented a new direction for art fairs in the country. Whether this momentum can be sustained and extended to other regions remains to be seen—but Suwon is already showing signs of becoming a strategic anchor for the future of Korea’s regional art scene.