There is a new art fair in town: The Rooms

Seeking to offer a playful and innovative alternative to traditional art fairs, The Rooms draws inspiration from successful formats in cities like New York (Gramercy), Brussels (White Hotel), and Bangkok (Hotel Art Fair). Spearheaded by dealer Patrick Mestdagh (Galerie Patrick & Ondine Mestdagh) and gallery owner Sébastien Janssen (Sorry We’re Closed), this brand-new Brussels art and antiques fair promises a fresh and immersive experience.

Simply named The Rooms, this unique fair will take over several dozen rooms at Mix Brussels, a stylish 4-star hotel and club that opened in the spring of 2023 in the former headquarters of Royale Belge in Watermael-Boitsfort. From May 22 to 25, 2025, visitors will be welcomed into an intimate and unconventional setting that reimagines the traditional fair experience.

The concept stems from the friendship between Mestdagh, a specialist in ethnic and non-European art, and Janssen, known for his focus on contemporary art. Together, they aim to create a gallery fair organized for and by galleries, breaking away from conventional formats to embrace a more personal and engaging approach. The venue, Mix Brussels—a modernist 1960s architectural gem surrounded by greenery and designed with a forward-thinking aesthetic—is the perfect backdrop for this fresh and creative initiative.

Approximately thirty contemporary art galleries and art and antiques dealers will take over an entire wing of the hotel. These exhibitors, some of whom rarely participate in traditional fairs, will showcase a diverse array of specialties, including jewelry, modern and contemporary art, non-European art, decorative arts, ancient art, High Middle Ages artifacts, archaeology, and classical works from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Among the participating galleries and dealers are Mini Piece, Lancz, Aeroplastics, Sorry We Are Closed, Spax Project, Claes, Mestdagh, and De Spa.

The fair’s unique format allows each exhibitor to transform a hotel room into a curated, immersive space, preserving the intimate character of the venue and offering visitors a deeply personal encounter with the artworks. Free and open to all, the event will feature a curated sculpture exhibition as well as a special room designed by Lionel Jadot (Zaventem Ateliers), the interior designer behind Mix Brussels, who will select and stage objects from participating galleries.

To meet growing public interest in art education and market insights, The Rooms will also host a series of conferences and roundtables in partnership with Puilaetco, a private bank specializing in wealth management, which has offices within the former Royale Belge. Discussions will cover topics such as patronage, heritage transmission, anti-money laundering in the art world, artist jewelry, the relationship between dealers and collectors, art leasing, insurance, and more.

Adding to the experience, a Mood Room will bring together brands such as Aperol, barber Bayer &
Bayer, chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, and art publisher Taschen in a lively, welcoming space designed for relaxation and socializing. With a focus on accessibility, dialogue, and conviviality, The Rooms promises to become an essential event for art lovers and collectors, offering a unique and memorable way to engage with art in an unexpected setting.

General info:
Thursday 22 / 4pm – 9pm
Friday 23 & Saturday 24 / 2pm – 7pm
Sunday 25 / 2pm – 6pm
Location: The Mix Brussels, Bd du Souverain 25/1, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort
Entry is free but ticket is mandatory: Get yours here