SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The San Francisco Art Institute will host Fête Bleu, the opening night benefit for the West Coast debut of the AAF Contemporary Art Fair, on Wednesday, June 22, at Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion.

Fête Bleu will offer attendees the opportunity to view the AAF Contemporary Art Fair before it opens to the public. More than 70 local, national, and international galleries will be represented, offering thousands of contemporary art pieces available for sale in the $100 to $10,000 range.

Festivities will include hors d'oeuvres, open bars, and live music at Fête Bleu. Opening night tickets range from $125 to $1,500 per person; the tickets available are: Friend: $125 in advance, $150 at the door; Patron: $250; Benefactor: $750; and Collector: $1,500. The event benefits the Scholarship Fund at the Art Institute.

The private reception and preview will begin at 5:00 p.m. for Patrons, Benefactors, and Collectors. The reception will open to Friends at 7:00 p.m.

The AAF Contemporary Art Fair, launched in 1999 in London, has expanded to six cities worldwide, including New York, Bristol, Sydney, and Melbourne, in addition to London and San Francisco. It will be open to the public June 23-26.

In addition to presenting contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures, video, photography, and limited-edition prints, the AAF Contemporary Art Fair will include lectures on art collecting, children's workshops, and other educational programs yet to be announced. For more information on the AAF Contemporary Art Fair visit: http://www.aafnyc.com.