This was Ms Dieckvoss's first fair for Clarion and she had been with Winter Olympia since early this year overseeing the whole fair cycle.
It was also the first time Clarion had appointed a dedicated manager for this winter fixture, which has increased in stature in recent years and is considered among the most prestigious London events. Ms Dieckvoss reported to Freya Simms, show director of the three annual Olympia fairs.
On November 27, it was officially announced that Stephanie Dieckvoss had been appointed Fair Director for the new international contemporary and modern art fair ART HK 08, which will be launched in Hong Kong May 14 to 18 next year.
She remains based in London and has responsibility for UK and European gallery recruitment and liaison for the new event.
Before Olympia, Ms Dieckvoss worked with the Frieze art fair for three years, so was part of the Frieze team from the very beginning.
She says: "Working with the Clarion team at Olympia was extremely rewarding and it was a privilege to manage such a well-established, high-profile fair. At Frieze I very much enjoyed being able to initiate projects since I was there from the fair's inception."
Freya Simms told ATG last week: "Stephanie added huge value and energy to the Winter fair, producing an excellent event and bringing in some good new exhibitors, particularly in fine art."
While returning to her contemporary roots is an understandable move for Stephanie Dieckvoss, some are taken aback that she left suddenly and so soon after what was considered an impressive debut. A number of exhibitors, with whom she had built up a good rapport, thought her eminently suited to the job.
Clarion will appoint a new show manager for Winter Olympia.
By David Moss
