Pink Panel review

We had a packed house at the Pink Panel discussion last night on how to obtain and process information as an art collector. The immense amount of information that is available about art can be overwhelming, even for an experienced collector. But our fabulous panelists gave us some excellent guidelines on how to navigate this tangle of information. Who spoke?

• Dr. Fred Ognibene, a collector extraordinaire who moderated the panel.
• J.W. Mahoney, an artist and art writer who regularly contributes to Art In America.
• Sharon Burton, an art blogger and art consultant who focuses much of her work on emerging collectors.
• Lenny Campello, an art blogger and dealer, and all-around art world cheerleader.
• Dr. Martin Irvine, a gallerist and insightful art geek (and I mean that in the nicest way).
  

In his presentation, Martin reminded me of one of the primary reasons I feel so passionate about art collecting. When you collect art, you become part of a community of intelligent, creative people who can inspire and enrich your life. Plus, art collecting empowers the ordinary person to make an impact in the art world whether they're buying works for $100 or $10,000 or $1,000,000. You become your own deMedici! By making an informed decision when buying any work of art, you are voting on what direction the art market should take. You become part of the greater fabric of the art market and even art history. As Martin says, collectors at every level are the heart and soul of the art market. Head on over to Martin's gallery and have a chat with him sometime.

Ways to learn more about contemporary art:

• Look at a lot of art every chance you get. Some places to look: embassy galleries, alternative art spaces, auctions, art fairs, art student shows, art magazines, studio visits.
  
• It is a gallerist's job to add value to the market and one of the key ways they do this is to provide good information to collectors. Seek it out.
  
• Ask artists you admire what artists they're interested in.
• Ask more experienced collectors what they're interested in.
• Jim suggested reading Shock of the New by Robert Hughes.
• Attend more Pink Panels!

Professor Irvine provided an excellent handout with references and everything.
Good summaries of the discussion at Painterly Visions and Authentic Art Visions.