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By Joy Reed Belt, Ph.D.
November 2003
Many people find buying paintings and other collectibles for gifts quite daunting. They may spend several gallery hours considering a piece of art for a friend or loved one, decide it’s too difficult and then purchase a “safer” gift such as a sweater, bathrobe or perfume. Art is a special gift both because it is so personal and it is long lasting. But those two qualities also make art the ideal gift.
Mary Fox, a grandmother, has been buying a piece of art for each of her grandchildren every Christmas since they were about 10 years old. Her grandchildren have always been thrilled with her selections and are eager to share them with friends. Mary believes that these gifts have broadened their young worlds and have given them an interest in and appreciation of all art forms. Mary, who also gives gifts of art to friends and other family members, uses much the same criteria for selecting art as a gift that she would use in buying any other gift. She believes the secret to successful gift giving is to be aware of the recipient’s personality. She says that while tastes often change over time a personality is well defined by the time a child is ten. Mary also takes note of the way her grandchildren dress, the books they read and how they decorate their personal space.
Adults are even easier to buy art for than children. There are more occasions and reasons for giving art. Consider these gifts: a woman buys her husband an Elizabeth Hahn painting for their anniversary because he went to school with the artist and has always admired her work; a mother buys her daughter, who is studying veterinary science in New York, paintings of dogs because her daughter loves animals; a couple decides to give art as a wedding present to their daughter for her first home; an aunt gives her nephew a painting of a landscape because his new office doesn’t have a window; a friend gives another friend a ceramic sculpture because she is going through a hard time; a father gives his daughter two Bret Weston photographs because she is interested in nature and wants to become a scientist; and a man gives his wife a beautiful painting because it reminds him of her. These gifts have helped create a bond that will last a lifetime.
Before shopping for art it might be useful to get a grasp of basic art concepts. Visiting museums and galleries are an excellent way of building that knowledge. Many museums and auction houses offer collector seminars. They also prepare catalogs for exhibitions and sales that are very instructive. High-end art festivals allow you to look at multiple artists and styles in one place. Reading magazines like “Southwest Art,” “Art News” and “Art & Antiques” is a good way to gain knowledge about art. “Art in America’s” annual guide lists galleries throughout the United States by genre. But perhaps the most important thing you can do if you are going to buy art is to develop a relationship with a dealer. A dealer will advise you, bid for you at auctions and let you know when new work is available. Dealers or gallery owners can be invaluable in helping you select art for gifts. If you can describe a person to a dealer the dealer will then be able to show you an appropriate array of work.
Do galleries intimidate you? Don’t let them. Galleries are retail establishments that display work that is for sale. They can’t exist without you, the customer. On the other hand, galleries aren’t so casual that you can expect to bargain. Prices are set. However, there are some times discounts if you buy multiple pieces of the same artist at the same time. It’s usually a 10% discount for two pieces and a 15% discount for three. If you buy 20 it’s still usually 15%. Here are other gallery rules: A red dot stuck on a painting’s label means the work has been sold. A green or half-red dot indicates that another buyer has reserved the work or has the right of first refusal.
Many gallery owners will let you put work on lay-a-way and often let trusted clients try out a work at home. And many will permit time payments without interest. Art lingo to remember: “Primary” market means a work’s first sale, usually through a dealer. “Secondary” means a resale of a work through a gallery or auction. While the idea of collecting art as an investment is an anathema to most dealers, following their advice can often keep you from making a big mistake.
There has never been a better time to buy art for you or for others. We are all benefiting from an explosion of art talent. This phenomenon is in part being fueled by the technology revolution, such as the internet, and by global political shifts. The net result is that contemporary art is being infused with a variety and depth never before experienced. You will be shopping for Christmas this year as you have in the past. This year, do what Mary Fox is going to do and buy art.
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