Piece by Piece for DOTE Magazine
Published in Print in 2015
A Beginner's Guide to Starting an Art Collection
Starting an art collection is a romantic experience. Piece by piece you capture a moment of your life that you’ll cherish more with time. Each piece reminds you of a past love, a dark thought, or a place only real in your dreams. When you find that piece, it’ll stop you in your tracks: a serendipitous encounter.
A piece could be with you for a lifetime, sharing a part of your home and holding a place in your heart. When you’ll find the next piece to add to the collection is unknown. It could be at the next gallery, street market, or art show. It could be love at first sight, a rush that catches you completely off guard, or it could be a long active pursuit of emails, negotiations, and sleepless nights.
For Stacey Walyuchow, Calgary-based art collector and online gallery owner/curator, buying her first piece of art was an emotional experience. “Honestly I was terrified. I had no intention of buying anything. I walked in and there was this one smaller piece that I really loved,” she explained. For Stacey, that original piece by an artist she had grown to know, meant more to her than just art, it connected her with a part of her past.
For many, entering the art-collecting world may seem overwhelming, cold, or intimidating. Contrary to the misconceptions, starting an art collection is a lot more enjoyable and accessible than you may think.
We asked Stacey what tips she’d recommend for beginner art collectors, and how to get past the misconceptions. Here’s what we learned:
1. Begin by educating yourself.
Everyone was an art-collecting novice at some point. It’ll take time to learn about art styles and history. The nice thing is, you can start online in the comfort of your home. When you’re ready, reach out to an art expert. If there is a specific style you prefer, visit a public library to learn more about the subject and to browse art books. Or dive into one of the many continuing education art history classes available at Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), Mount Royal University, or University of Calgary. Understand that it takes time to learn about the art world and to really know what you love.
2. Learn what you love.
Do you like realism or abstract, sculpture or watercolours, landscapes or portraits? Knowing what you love and what pulls at your heartstrings only comes with time and experience. At the end of the day, listen to your gut and don’t be afraid to steer off the mainstream art trends.
3. Share the experience with an art-collecting partner.
Grab a friend or loved one and commit some time to visiting galleries, museums, auction houses, or art shows on a regular basis. It could be a weekly outing or a way to change up date night.
4. Get to know local artists.
Keep it local and original. “Buying from emerging or established artists comes with the exciting commitment of knowing that you are buying into someone’s life,” Stacey explained. Visit artist or gallery websites, and scroll through their Instagram accounts.
5. Create a budget.
Set a budget for yourself. This could be a monthly or annual budget. The price point is up to you. “I always assumed that you needed these big expensive pieces by well-known artists,” Stacey confessed. But you can find beautiful pieces under$100 or over $10,000. If a piece does fall above your budget limit, and it’s a have-to-have piece, most artists, galleries, or art establishments are open to setting up a payment plan, she added. That way, your heart is part of the decision-making process and not your wallet.
6. Know that you’re investing in a local artist.
When setting your price point, keep in mind that you are buying more than the image or the canvas. Stacey explained, “You are buying years of training, experience, emotional journey, and the time it has taken for this piece to come to creation. Know that you’re buying a piece that could be with you for a lifetime.”
7. Visit local galleries that support local artists.
See the listings of local galleries below.
8. Immerse yourself in Calgary art shows and events.
Art markets, festivals, and shows are continuing to pop up across Calgary. Calgary Art Walk is an annual event where participants have an opportunity to visit local galleries. Art Spot is a non-profit organization and alternative gallery space that hosts an annual event with art under $100. The Glenbow Museum hosts various fundraisers every year where they showcase art pieces and bring awareness to the contemporary and historical works in their extensive archives. Market Collective, Commonwealth Collector’s Club, Calgary Art Markets, and many others host multiple markets every year and feature local art in various forms. And don’t miss out on ACAD’s semi-annual Show + Sale featuring work from students in their programs. Visit Calgary Arts Development for more art event listings.
9. Commission a piece.
First, choose the artist. Become familiar with their body of work and their average price point. Then approach the artist or gallery in one of two ways: either with little direction thereby giving them creative control, or give them more input such as colour tone, size, and imagery. Either way, the artist will likely have a conversation with you to discover some artistic inspiration.
10. Don’t be afraid to walk away.
Over six years Stacey has purchased eleven pieces for her collection. “Once you’ve experienced the rush of purchasing a piece, it can be hard to walk away,” Stacey explained. Though, if she had purchased every piece she’s connected with, she would be out of wall space! Her advice is to walk out the door and sleep on it. If you’re up all night tossing and turning, thinking about the piece, then go back and buy it. You won’t regret it.
When you’re starting your first art collection, having a few simple parameters like a budget or an artist in mind will keep you from being overwhelmed. Piece by piece you’ll learn what you love. And like a true love, Stacey explained, “There are those beautiful stories of an art collection capturing your journey through life, the people you meet, and the places you’ve travelled.”
Putting the emotional aside, here are some other things to consider when starting an art collection:
Investment
When looking for an art piece as an investment it is important to note a few things about the artist. First, consider his/her history: experience, awards, and education. Does the artist hold an accreditation of: BFA, MFA, BD, etc.? There are various aspects about the artist that can lend to the value of your piece. Be sure to consult your gallery, artist, or auction house about these aspects.
Appraisal
To know the value of your art, you should have it appraised. Various galleries around Calgary, as well as Levis Fine Art Auction and Appraisals and Hodgins Art Auctions, just to name a few, are great sources for art appraisal.
Insurance
Be sure to insure your art. Whether it’s recently purchased from a local artist or passed down from a loved one, it’s important to know that you are covered from damage or loss.
A few local galleries:
• The Nickle Galleries at The University of Calgary showcase contemporary art from across Western Canada.
• ArtPoint Gallery and Studios Society is an art cooperative in Ramsay that exhibits local artists and provides art education to its members.
• Loch Gallery, with locations in Calgary, Toronto, and Winnipeg, carries work from established Canadian artists.
• Masters Gallery, with locations in Calgary and Vancouver, offers access to many Canadian contemporary and historical artists, also with a full-service framing business.
• Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art is one of our leading contemporary art galleries promoting Albertan, Canadian, and international artists as well as young, up-and-coming artists.
• Feather Gallery was originally built by A.C. Leighton in 1930, and now the space is committed to showcasing local art.
• Esker Foundation is a forward thinking contemporary art gallery that showcases both emerging and established artists.
• Trépanier Baer Gallery specializes in the exhibition and sale of Canadian and international contemporary art and is considered one of Canada’s leading commercial contemporary art galleries.
• Herringer Kiss Gallery focuses on contemporary fine art by emerging, mid-career, and established artists from across Canada and the U.S. They also have a full-service frame studio onsite.