Whenever I think of art collectors, I think of old, rich people. Art can be so expensive (and deservedly so . . . artists have to make a living). But it always felt so out of reach.
And it shouldn't be.
Art is too important to be left to the ultra rich. There are a lot of benefits to having art in your life.
Support the local art community: one of the biggest joys of art collecting is knowing that you are helping provide a livelihood to your local art community. Art collectors understand the importance that culture has on the community.
Individual Expression: Original art gives you the chance to step away from the mass produced products filling the aisles of Walmart. It gives you a chance to develop your tastes and find out what inspires you.
A Piece of History: Collecting art lets you become a steward of history, preserving the culture of the present day for future generations.
Connection to the Transcendent: Whatever you think of his politics, Jordan Peterson knows a thing or two about the importance of art: "It opens your eyes to the domain of the transcendent... A real piece of art is a window into the transcendent... that's what it is... and you need that in your life because you are finite and limited, and bounded by your ignorance and your lack of knowing. And unless you can make a connection to the transcendent then you don't have the strength to prevail."
Connect with Artist: Art collecting can give you a chance to follow the career of an artist you feel a strong kinship with. You can grow together.
The Thrill of the Search: There's something satisfying about the hunt for a new art piece. Any moment, you can walk into a gallery and find something life-changing.
Community: Like any hobby, art collecting can provide a sense of community as you get together to discuss artists, artistic styles and movements, and upcoming fairs, exhibitions, etc.
It Can Be an Investment: Unlike many purchases, art just gets more valuable over time.
For the Stories: Each piece comes with a story. As you collect art, you can collect the stories, the history, and even the knowledge you get from the culture/traditions that the piece originated from.
You Can Turn Your House into a Museum: Most people have one or two pieces of artwork hanging on their wall to keep them from being completely blank. That's nice and all . . . but a collection of artworks hanging together provides a sense of awe when you walk into the room. Can you imagine waking up to that every morning?
I know starting an art collection can be intimidating, but most galleries have lower priced items such as prints, postcards, or miniatures. That's a good place to start!
Happy Hunting! :)
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