b'ART INVESTMENTUNDERSTANDING THE ARTISTWhen considering purchasing a piece of art as an investment, there are several points to consider about the creator of the work:Is the artist represented by a reputable gallery?Does the artist produce consistent work? Has the artist received any awards?Art Exhibition Files/Travel Light with artwork by MartineHas the artist shown their work in the global market?Ct at the Akasha Art Gallery. Photo courtesy Martine Ct Is the piece you are purchasing from a significant body of work they have produced?The goal should be to learn from the experts so you can establishBe sure to look at the past sale price from other works by the a knowledge base from which to draw when you make your firstsame artist to see if it has been valued correctlypurchase. They will help you gain a sense of the market and make an informed decision about buying a piece of art that retains or increases its value. the value of an artist and their work. For a list of reputable consultants, visit Art Consultants Canada at https://artsconsultants.ca/.OTHER AVENUES Finally, we want to reiterate that the most important aspect of art Another question to ponder when collecting art is whether to purchasecollecting ultimately lies in the personal, as summed up perfectly by avid art original works or fine art prints. Original works, like paintings, arecollector and gallerist Jim Turner: Collecting, particularly fine art, becomes a unique, while prints or photography are generally sold editioned.lifelong obsession. You constantly discover artists new to youboth past and When buying any type of print, look for works that are available inpresent. Your taste evolves. Your knowledge and understanding increases. smaller editionsthis will ensure resale value. And when setting aWhat doesnt change is that eureka moment when you see something that budget for your collection, be sure to factor in conservation framingtruly moves youthat you love. Collect what you can afford, of course. But and shipping and duty costs.most importantlybuy it because you love it.Always interesting to consider for your collection is work by anOur own art collection is an eclectic mix of paintings, photographs, mixed emerging artist. There are endless opportunities to discover young,media and sculptural pieces purchased and gifted to us over the course of sought-after talent. Every year there are new artists appearing on thethe past 17 years. This assemblage is reflective of our belief that surrounding countrys art scene, many of them recent graduates from the Ontarioyourself with what you love leads to a well-rounded collection that not only College of Art & Design, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, andincreases in value, but brings you enjoyment for years to come. Emily Carr University of Art in Vancouver. All three have year-end art sales as well as thesis and grad exhibitions that are well worth visiting.Sonja Scharf and Kelly Kyle are the founders and principals of Akasha Art Projects, a full-Thats where youll find below-market-priced pieces from outstandingservice art business specializing in comprehensive and creative solutions for all things artists before they get scooped up by established dealers.art. This includes fine custom framing, fine art printing, art installation, crating and Another avenue to explore is the secondary market, which dealsshipping, as well as art consulting to the design, corporate and residential markets. They in works that have been previously sold. There are galleries thatalso recently launched an online gallery platform, Akasha Art Editions, that features an specialize in this artwork and you can also find it at auction housesexclusive collection of limited-edition fine art prints.such as Heffel and Waddingtons. When dealing with the secondary market, art auction cataloguesNFTS: A NEW DIGITAL FRONTIERare a wonderful resource and usually accurate in determining secondary market values for specific artists, genres and historicalThe latest buzz in the artworld is for NFTs. Short for non-fungible tokens, works. When making a purchase, always ask if a Certificate ofNFTs are art you cannot physically live withthey are digitaland they Authenticity or other documentation is available. It contains theare currently highly sought after by collectors. They are digital assets pur-pedigree of the artist and relevant information about the work, whichchased with cryptocurrency and are unique tokens on the Blockchain. In will aid in determining its future resale value. simple terms, they are pieces of art that owners have the right to present Art charity auctions present yet another tremendous opportunitybut with certain limitations. And they are taking the art world by storm. for purchasing artwork, be it from emerging, mid-career orRecently, digital artist Mike Winklemann, aka Beeple, sold the first NFT to established artists. Artists are known for their generosity and oftengo to auction at Christies. His digital collage, titled EverydaysThedonate some of their best work to these high-profile events. TheyFirst 5000 Days, sold at the famous auction house for a jaw-dropping usually involve a celebratory evening, where buying art at these$69 million. auctions is a win-win for both the buyer and the charity of choice.Not all NFTs are so wildly expensive, and whether their value continues If you are serious about delving into the world of art collecting, youto grow or they fizzle out as a passing fad remains to be seen. But its still might want to consider working with a professional art consultant.worth looking at this new wave of art collecting. OpenSea and RaribleThese experts have specialized skill and knowledge in art, as well asare two virtual gallery platforms you can visit to explore this newaccess to the countrys art scene. An art consultant can advise you ofdigital frontier.trends and assist you in making an informed choice by understanding 2021|QBiz CANADA |17'