Art Collecting at Art Toronto: How ISA Appraisers Can Assist You

The idea of collecting art, starting an art collection can seem overwhelming. It usually starts with that first emotional purchase, that piece of art you just had to have. You did not know you were going to fall in love and begin collecting original art. Now it has opened doors and shown you a whole new world. Collecting art is a passion but there is a tremendous range of collecting areas in the art world. The key to building a strong art collection starts with learning what your personal preferences are. You need to educate yourself but where do you start? In today’s art market a great way to expose yourself to a wide range of art styles is by attending an art fair. Back in 1970 three art dealers initiated a fair called Art Basel in response to another fair, the Cologne Art Fair, started in 1968. Both fairs took place in the fall and their intense rivalry created a great deal of attention in Europe, and subsequently attending became fashionable. Since that time international art fairs have exploded in popularity and number. Here in Canada, we have Art Toronto. This year it is taking place October 25 to 28, 2013, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For a new collector attending an art fair can be an overwhelming experience, but not if you plan your visit, your budget, and your expectations. Plan to take the time to walk through the fair making notes of the gallery booths where you see art works that attract your attention. Take one of the on-site tours provided free of charge for visitors or sit in on one of the many free talks and lectures. The International Society of Appraisers (ISA) will be giving two free talks at the AXA ART booth for this year’s show providing information about the appraisal process and when you might need appraisal services. Make notes for yourself about which works attracted you. Look for a pattern. Visit these gallery booths and ask the staff about the art work which attracted you. Educate yourself about the artist who made this work, and about their art practise. The more well informed you are, the more refined your choices will be. Learning about what excites you, will probably teach you something about yourself in the process. Determine your needs subject to your personal knowledge about the fine art world. A cultivated art collection will take time to assemble and grow. Many collectors choose to work with an art advisor to assist them with building their collection. Even if you have already purchased a great deal of art, hiring a professional art advisor and appraiser can be very helpful. We analyse the quality of your holdings and help fill in the gaps. We can preview potential works at the art fairs that would enhance your collection, and/or we can accompany you for your exploration of the fair. Not only do we prepare professional appraisals, we can also provide services including cataloguing the works in a collection, overseeing framing and installation, organizing storage, providing scholarship on works, organize loan logistics when required. Professional appraisers can also bring experience to bear on a range of questions including charitable donations and estate planning. Lastly, we can also provide discretion by carrying out purchases on your behalf. Art fairs like Art Toronto are a good place to find reliable and reputable art dealers. Art Fairs provide a comfortable environment to learn, and a wonderful feast of the variety of styles for your senses. Relationships in the art world are built on trust, but being able to verify information is also critical, and this is where professional ISA members can be of assistance. Collecting art should be great fun, and professional ISA Art Advisors are available to assist you through the maze. -Tracey Capes, ISA Tracey Capes Fine Art