New York City, September 10, 2025
News Summary
Texas galleries made a notable impact at the Armory Show in New York City, achieving remarkable sales and gaining increased visibility. An Austin gallery completely sold out its exhibit, and a Texas artist received an esteemed residency prize. The fair, featuring over 230 exhibitors, showed promising signs of market recovery, with significant transactions reaching up to $1 million. The event emphasized various artistic themes and sections, further enhancing its reputation in the art world.
New York City
Texas galleries record strong sales and expanding presence at the 2025 Armory Show
Texas galleries reported notable sales and increased visibility at the 2025 Armory Show in New York City, highlighted by a complete sell-through from one Austin gallery and prize recognition for a Texas artist. The fair drew more than 230 exhibitors and showed early signs of recovery in a slow art market, with reported VIP-preview sales reaching up to $1 million.
Top-line results and key Texas outcomes
One Austin gallery, Martha’s, sold all six works it exhibited by the end of the fair, and the artist represented by the booth, RF.Alvarez, received the Delfina Foundation Artist Residency Prize. The work highlighted from that booth, titled We’re Still Here!, addressed themes of gender identity and cultural expectations and referenced a historically censored piece by Paul Cadmus. In the Presents section, Seven Sisters from Houston was the sole Texas exhibitor among nearly 50 participants, showcasing sculptural works by Julia Kunin and Katarzyna Przezwańska. The Focus section, themed The American South, included two Texas galleries: Keijsers Koning from Dallas, presenting works by Tamara Johnson and Michelle Cortez Gonzales, and Austin’s Martha’s with RF.Alvarez.
Sales and market signals
Organizers and participating galleries reported meaningful transactions during the VIP preview and through the fair’s run, with several galleries disclosing sales at significant price points, including individual works priced up to $1 million. While the broader art market has faced headwinds, the Armory Show’s array of sales and gallery activity suggested pockets of resilience and collector interest, particularly for works addressing strong narratives or large-scale installations.
Sections, programming, and notable presentations
The Armory Show’s division of programming continued to emphasize multiple formats and discovery platforms. The fair’s main divisions included Galleries, Solo, and Not-For-Profit, along with thematic strands such as Presents and Focus. The Platform section featured large-scale sculptures and installations, including works associated with the Souls Grown Deep Foundation. The Function section showcased art intersecting with design and was curated by Ebony L. Haynes. More than 70 galleries exhibited at the Armory Show for the first time, and over 20 exhibitors returned after a hiatus.
Leadership and strategic direction
In July 2024, Kyla McMillan took over as the fair’s director following the departure of the prior director. The new leadership emphasized strengthening relationships with American collectors across the United States and leveraging those connections to support both galleries and artists. The fair’s organizers positioned this strategy as part of a broader effort to sustain attendance and sales amid shifting market conditions.
Attendance, history, and ownership
The Armory Show originated in 1994 as the Gramercy International Art Fair, created to spotlight emerging artists and galleries. It was rebranded as The Armory Show in 1999 after a move to the 69th Regiment Armory, in reference to the historic 1913 Armory exhibition. Over roughly three decades, the fair has grown into one of New York’s largest annual art events, regularly attracting more than 50,000 attendees. In 2023, the fair became part of a larger art events portfolio following an acquisition by a major international art organizer.
Context and sector challenges
Despite the Armory Show’s longevity and scale, the art market has faced notable challenges, including gallery closures and economic uncertainty. Organizers and participants used the fair as a testing ground for new presentation formats, residency prizes, and targeted programming to support artists and galleries. The fair’s mix of traditional booths, curated sections, and prize awards aimed to provide multiple avenues for exposure and sales, reinforcing adaptability in a fluctuating market.
FAQ
Which Texas galleries exhibited at the 2025 Armory Show?
Texas galleries present included Houston’s Seven Sisters in the Presents section, Dallas’s Keijsers Koning in the Focus section, and Austin’s Martha’s in the Focus section.
What were the notable sales outcomes for Texas galleries?
Martha’s sold all six works it showed by the end of the fair. Several galleries across the fair reported sales during the VIP preview and overall fair dates, with reported individual works selling for prices up to $1 million.
What sections and themes were emphasized at the fair?
Key sections included Galleries, Solo, Not-For-Profit, Presents, Focus (with 2025’s theme The American South), Platform (large-scale works), and Function (art and design).
Who is the fair’s current director and what is the strategic focus?
Kyla McMillan became director in July 2024. The leadership emphasized building relationships with American collectors to strengthen market support across the United States.
How long has the Armory Show been operating and who owns it?
The fair began in 1994 as the Gramercy International Art Fair and rebranded in 1999. It was acquired in 2023 by a larger international art events organization and has grown into one of New York’s largest art fairs, typically drawing over 50,000 visitors annually.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exhibitors | More than 230 |
| New galleries | More than 70 first-time exhibitors |
| Returning after hiatus | More than 20 |
| Typical annual attendance | Over 50,000 |
| Highest reported VIP-preview sale | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Texas galleries highlighted | Seven Sisters (Houston), Keijsers Koning (Dallas), Martha’s (Austin) |
| Focus theme 2025 | The American South |
| Sections of note | Presents, Focus, Platform, Function, Galleries, Solo, Not-For-Profit |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Glasstire: Recapping the 2025 Armory Show
- The Art Newspaper: The Armory Show VIP Opening Sales
- Glasstire: Art Fairs in New York, Houston to Feature Texas Galleries
- Artnews: Armory Show 2025 Best Booths
- The New York Times: Armory Show at Javits Center
- Wikipedia: Armory Show
- Google Search: Armory Show 2025
- Google Scholar: Armory Show 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Armory Show
- Google News: Armory Show 2025
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