So you’re finally ready to start building the art collection of your dreams. If you’re someone like me, a total novice to buying art and antiques, you may feel a little overwhelmed and intimidated about your first few purchases. It’s not always as easy as walking into a gallery and taking home the first piece of art in which you fall in love with. Most importantly, you don't want to get cheated or feel that you’ve made a bad investment. With the right amount of research, knowledge, and a little confidence, you will find that buying art can be a very special and rewarding experience.
I met up with Miller Gaffney at Park Cafe on Rutledge Ave for a glass of rosé and some “art” talk. Miller, a South Carolina native, is an expert in collecting art and antiques for investment purposes. She has appeared on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow and Market Warriors and will be starring in Ovation's Art Breakers this fall. Miller offered a few essential tips for finding and investing in art.
Miller explains that you first need to educate yourself and form your taste. Try going to museums and galleries and train your eye to see the difference between good and indifferent quality. Next, have a focus or a theme.
- Are you interested in contemporary art?
- Maybe you have a particular interest in photography?
- Pinpoint your tastes and identify your preferences.
Miller recommends buying the best pieces available from the artists you prefer, as they will likely increase in value and make your collection more valuable over time. Always choose quality over quantity. It’s important to work with reputable and knowledgeable advisors who can help you make decisions about pieces. Their insight and experience can prove invaluable when navigating what to buy and what price to pay. Finally, have goals and know your motivation before you buy. Do you want to build an informal creative collection, an investment collection, a legacy collection, or a collection for pure enjoyment.
For more tips from Miller, look for her new book, The Essentials -Passions Collecting Art & Antiques this Fall. Her book promises to demystify collecting and offer a practical art guide for everyone from beginners to connoisseurs.
Miller Gaffney will be at our Charleston Home + Design Show: Fall Edition to share her vast knowledge of the world of art collecting. So whether you're thinking of starting a collection, investing in more art, or need to learn about protecting the art you already have, join us for Miller’s seminar, “Passions: Collecting Art and Antiques” on August 28th. Furthermore, Miller will be conducting free appraisals on August 29th and 30th. Bring your treasured piece to the Charleston Area Convention Center either day between 1pm and 5pm to find out the value of your unique antique!
For more information about the Charleston Home + Design Show or to buy tickets for Miller’s seminar visit charlestonhomeanddesignshow.com.
Posted by Heather Epps, Social Media Director, Charleston Home + Design.
