Collecting art should be a fun and rewarding experience. Today's art world, however, is complex, global, and fast-moving, making it hard for a non-professional to keep pace. As an art advisor, my role is to help a collector navigate this world, to find works of art that both bring happiness to their homes and are worthy investments. To that end, we offer a range of services customized to each individual collector’s needs.
Working with new collectors is a particular pleasure of mine. I enjoy the process of figuring out the kind of art new collectors will like, that will be within their budget, and fit their lifestyle. With my background as an art historian, I relish the opportunity to educate new collectors via visits to museums, galleries, and art fairs, giving them a solid background and vocabulary in the world of art even before a first purchase is made. A lot of new collectors feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the art world, but my firm aims to provide our collectors with the opposite experience: fun, exciting, and enjoyable art collecting.
Adding depth to an existing collection is an especially fun challenge for art advisors. From identifying which pieces would complement the existing holdings, to tracking them down across the world, working with a collector in this capacity is immensely rewarding. In addition to acquiring new works, we can also help with deaccessioning certain pieces that no longer fit the collection, as well as identifying potential new directions for a collection to grow and develop.
Estate planning is an important part of art collecting, and my firm provides an array of estate planning services. We work with collectors to formulate a plan so that their particular vision for the future of their collection is clearly articulated and honored. We work with heirs to distribute art collections equitably and in accordance with the wishes of the collector. We have experience appraising and cataloging collections, liaising with recipient institutions of donated artworks, and negotiating sales contracts for auction and gallery consignments. Additionally, we have a network of legal and tax professionals whom we consult and can recommend when needed.
-EDUCATE clients about various artists and the art market, taking them to museums and lectures, as well as galleries, auctions, art fairs and artist’s studios.
-NEGOTIATE on behalf of clients in the purchase and sale of artworks, sourcing works from private collections, galleries, and artist's studios, and bidding for clients at auction.
-COORDINATE all aspects of the purchasing process, including authenticity and provenance verification, condition inspection, and proper framing, installation, and lighting.
-COLLECTION MANAGMENT, including collection database creation and maintenance, overseeing museum loans, and recommending insurance and financial tools to protect the artwork for both personal enjoyment and investment potential.
-APPRAISE Kristy is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), specializing in Post-War, Contemporary, and Emerging Art, and is Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant. She has experience writing appraisal reports for insurance purposes, charitable donations, and other appraisal needs.
-DEACCESSIONING is part of the life cycle of a collection. From selective edits of a growing collection, to downsizing and end-of-life planning, to estate dispersion, we recommend appropriate venues for sale, negotiate contract terms, facilitate donations, and ensure a seamless and efficient process.