March 26, 2023
Launch of The Emerging Collectors Brunch Series
A few highlights:
Studio Visits, Social Media, gallery/museum visits, and art festivals are all different ways to find/view an artist's work.
As a collector, it is so important to explore and immerse yourself in your community and your area. There is so much talent in the city that you may be currently aware of.
As an artist, it is important to develop a pipeline to collector/consumer relationships. Whether it be through studio visits or social media. It helps counteract the sense of urgency you may have solely attempting to sell via Social Media.
It is important is to build an Arts ecosystem that is more inclusive.
We should always be promoting Art Education/Collector Education.
Houston is creating more areas referred to as "3rd Spaces" as an alternate way to locate artwork or art adjacent spaces. These are spaces that aren't the "norm" like museums and art galleries.
Collectors and emerging collectors can educate themselves more by attending art salons, artist talks, and lectures. These art talks also allow collectors the opportunity to really get to know an artist and build a connection through their story and the artwork itself. As a collector, you do not always have the time, space, or means to get to studios/museums/galleries.
Art through books also offers an opportunity to educate yourself as a collector.
It's important to understand and remember that Artists are human and entering their space whether it be through an artist talk exchange or studio visit, it is an energy exchange that requires sensitivity and patience.
Collectors face barriers when attempting to acquire artwork. Being new to the industry versus being established in the practice accentuates the differences. Don't let any pushback as a newcomer stop you from asking the next person or trying again.
Lack of funds initially should not be a deterrent as there are lower-priced options and others means of collection.
A Brief Review
The presence and conversation included in the launch of the ECB series were electric and needed. Participants all came together to commune on many aspects of fine art collecting, how artists communicate with their collectors, and how we may be able to improve those relationships. There was talk about alternative spaces to locate artists and their artwork. Many established collectors spoke of their collecting journey and the roadblocks they may face to aid emerging collectors on their journey. They shared how they overcame those roadblocks and some of the workarounds they created or found to be helpful. At the end of the event, we were able to gift participants with a limited edition giclee print of our featured artist, ZsAvon Butler's piece, Wishing On A Star.
We are extremely thankful and grateful to our wonderful hosts, Drs. Jakeen and Garfield Johnson; our conversation facilitator, John Abodeely of Houston Arts Alliance, our extremely talented featured artist and collector, ZsAvon Butler and every participant that supported the launch of this series.
