The 2026 IFPDA Print Fair concluded at the Park Avenue Armory with record-breaking attendance of over 21,000 visitors and robust sales across various price points. This edition marked a significant pivot for the fair following its formal expansion to include drawings dealers, rebranding as the International Fine Prints and Drawings Association. Notable sales included a sold-out edition of Cecily Brown etchings at Two Palms and six-figure works by David Hockney and Rashid Johnson at Galerie Maximillian.
The fair's evolution reflects a broader trend where collectors and institutions increasingly view works on paper holistically rather than distinguishing strictly between prints and unique drawings. While the print market remains a resilient entry point for younger collectors seeking blue-chip names at accessible prices, the inclusion of drawings aims to bolster the fair's relevance amidst rising operational costs for dealers. The success of the newly launched curatorial summit and artist programming suggests that the fair is successfully positioning itself as a central hub for scholarship and commerce in the works-on-paper category.