Episode 103: Inside the Affordable Art Fair with Georgia Huestis

4 November 2025 | Paint Rest Repeat Podcast for Artists

Inside the Affordable Art Fair: What Every Artist and Collector Should Know

The Affordable Art Fair is fast becoming one of Australia's most exciting platforms for artists and collectors alike — but what really goes on behind the scenes? In this episode of Paint Rest Repeat, I chat with Georgia Huestis, the Fair Director for the Australian wing of the Affordable Art Fair, to pull back the curtain on how it all works, what’s trending, and how artists can get involved.

Whether you’re dreaming of exhibiting or just curious about the art-buying landscape in Australia, this is an unmissable peek inside the fair that champions real, living artists and art lovers of all kinds.

Let's dive in!

Here for the links referenced in the episode?

Free Artist Resources - Access the library of free resources to help you grow as an artist. https://www.permissiontopaint.co/resources

The Permission to Paint 2026 Planner — Your creative companion for planning a joyful and productive year. Get yours here!

Episode 103: Listen using the player below, or click on your favourite listening platform to subscribe and listen there:

What Is the Affordable Art Fair?

With events in Melbourne, Sydney, and now Brisbane, the Affordable Art Fair makes buying art fun, accessible, and anything but intimidating. Georgia shares how the fair has grown from its 2019 Melbourne launch into a vibrant, national platform that showcases hundreds of artists through galleries and collectives.

The mission? To help people fall in love with art — and actually feel confident buying it.

Behind the Booths: What Makes the Fair So Engaging?

From live painting demonstrations to interactive installations (like pencil sketches created from inside a quirky ATM booth!), this fair is designed to draw people in and slow them down. Georgia explains how these little sparks of magic create connection — and boost sales.

Plus, a new venue this year! Sydney’s 2025 fair is moving to Carriageworks, promising even more space, visitors, and buzz.

Should You Apply as an Artist?

Georgia gets real about the artist experience — the joy, the exhaustion, and everything in between. She offers advice for artists considering applying to the fair, including:

• Why collectives are so powerful
• What curators look for in booth applications
• How to prep your price points for pre-Christmas shoppers

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by art fairs or unsure how to take the next step, this is your sign to just start the conversation.

Art Buying Trends to Watch

Bathtubs, broccoli, and a boom in ceramics? Georgia shares what’s trending at this year’s fair, revealing unexpected themes and rising mediums. There’s also a noticeable shift toward tactile, textured art and younger collectors entering the scene with fresh energy.

Key takeaway: The market is not slowing down — it's evolving.

The Bigger Picture: What the Closure of The Other Art Fair Means

Georgia and I touch on the recent news that The Other Art Fair is shutting down its Australian operations. While disappointing, Georgia reassures us that the Australian art market remains strong, with the Affordable Art Fair seeing growth in both exhibitor interest and art sales.

It’s a reminder that there's more than one way to thrive as an artist today.

How to Get Involved

Want to attend or exhibit? Head to affordableartfair.com and tick the cities you’re keen on — or reach out directly to [email protected]. Georgia and her team are all about demystifying the process and supporting artists from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

As Georgia says, the Affordable Art Fair is all about “helping people make a living from making art.” Whether you're on the collector side or the canvas side, it’s a place to learn, grow, and feel truly welcomed.

If you’re ready for more personalised support in building your art business, there are plenty of ways we can work together — from self-paced courses and practical resources to memberships and masterminds. Reach out here.

That’s it for this episode. I’m so glad we could share this time together. Remember — every small step you take brings you closer to the artist you’re becoming.

Ros x