Essentials to get your head in the game:

To really “do” an art fair, show up with your whole self. Before you hit the door, reflect on what has the most meaning for you. Are there artists you know really move you? If you let your imagination run, what kind of art would you love to live with? What colors and styles do you favor? How do you think artists fit into our society? Are they our reflection? Our conscience? Our legacy keepers?

Maximizing Your Visit

Plan ahead — Basel is crowded. Identify 5–6 “must-see” booths/galleries and schedule around those first.

Know the structures — The Fair is laid out into several themed zones. Check ahead to see what appeals to you most. Map out specific galleries and projects you want to see. Plan to attend the talks. Really—there is something for everyone. Start here with the website.

Network while you view — Bring business cards; invite conversation with gallerists about institutional/policy support, mentorship for Black women in art leadership.

Balance established + emerging — Pair visits to galleries like Philip Martin or Goodman (for legacy and larger investment) with AfriKin or Basel B.A.E. for rising talent and community engagement.

Document carefully — Photograph work, take notes about artist, provenance, materials. Create a checklist of interest. Useful for follow-up after Basel. I find the Notes app useful for this because I throw in images, gallery contact info and my own thoughts or action steps.

Schedule downtime — Basel weeks are intense. Build in meals, rest, and time to reflect and discuss together.

The Hot Takes

I’m offering my non-exhaustive list of favorite artists and their galleries. My friends and idols are here as simple touch-points and conversation starters. I hope you will check them out and share back with me. Which artists and galleries stood out to you? Were there works that will linger in your mind’s eye?

Some Galleries to see:

Kó Booth S5

Works by Nike Davies-Okundaye

Southern Guild Booth B10

Established in 2008 by Trevyn and Julian McGowan, Southern Guild represents contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora. Based in Cape Town and Los Angeles, the gallery’s programme furthers the continent’s contribution to global art movements. Southern Guild’s artists explore the preservation of culture, spirituality, ancestral knowledge and identity within our current landscape.

Ryan Lee Booth S8

Works by Emma Amos

AfriArt Gallery

Works by Sungi Mlengeya, Sanaa Gateja, Richard Atugonza, Charlene Komuntale, Kaleab Abate, Fiker Solomon, Henry Mzili Mujunga

David Castillo Booth H27

Belkis Ayón, Sanford Biggers, Pepe Mar, Glexis Novoa, Alexandria Smith, Studio Lenca, Su Su, and Vaughn Spann.

Stehpen Friedman Gallery and Goodman Gallery Booth D15

Group show of several artists I like.

It all begins with you. What can deepening your engagement with art offer you? Do you see yourself at home quietly enjoying a piece you love while sipping your morning tea? Are you the social connector who prizes a knowledge base of leading edge artists and can move on influential boards? Do you simply want to cultivate your personal creative practice by having artists in your life? All of these things are here for you.

Center your desires.

The arts are on offer. The unique thing about this sector of culture is that so much rests on personal meaning and open exchange. You show up to be moved. You discern what the art is good for. Take what you want to heart in your own way and let that be enough. It isn’t about already knowing everything, figuring out commercial trends or doing complicated dances with gatekeepers. You already know how you think and what you want.

Make friends with art people.

Artists areso generous about building connection. It’s what they do. Get to know folks by asking them about their practice and then staying in touch. Whether it’s through a studio visit, a newsletter sign up or showing up for their shows. It is the most powerful direct way to be involved with the arts. Try visiting open studios at artists’ buildings, hitting MFA shows at universities and going to art talks. These spaces are more casual and open than most art fairs and you get access without the tensions of being in a commercial setting. My best tip for meeting real, ascendent working artists is to watch the top artists residencies. Residencies are where artists actually build their careers. Artists are vetted through intensely competitive selection processes juried by curators, scholars and critics—so you get the benefit of their high standards. My short list of American residencies to watch is Skowhegan, Nxthaven, Bemis, MacDowell, Joan Mitchell Center, Golden Artists Foundation and the Wassaic Project. Be on the lookout for who receives these residencies. Often you can catch amazing artists on the rise. Go to a residency’s open studios if you can. I’ll recommend one foundation to watch as well—The Mellon Foundation moves with such great intention—there is always something to pick up.

Take charge of what gets on your radar. Here are a few of my top pics for artfully ginning up your feeds.

Studio Museum in Harlem

Vision and Justice

The Cerebral Women Art Podcast

There! I kept that list short and sweet. 

You can branch out from there with the help of algorithms—they’re not always dreadful. Youtube is great for artist talks. Start with Art21, the Louisiana Channel and Tate artist spotlights—they’re the real deal and feature all kinds of diverse artists.

Instagram (a love/hate) is the prevailing mode for aggregating art interests. Pro tip—make a “finsta” just for your art explorations. Start with your likes from this here Art Basel and let your web of artist and institutional follows grow. Insta is actually pretty good about suggesting accounts to follow. If you give it some time, it can be very rewarding. If you need a boost, I am offering right here right now to pitch in on guiding you in your adventures whenever you ask me to. I love this stuff!