MY WORD Winter 2021

We will all not soon forget COVID 19 and 2020. In this issue of the Newsletter we have looked at the art market both in 2019 and 2020.. The data seems to show that Christies and Sothebys maintained their position at the top of the food chain with some drop off due to COVID in the most expensive offerings. This certainly was expected. What was not expected was the success of the mid-level market where many of us were busier and more successful than we were prior to the pandemic. I attribute this to “I am lock downed, bored, and online.”. There were many ways the art world adapted with virtual exhibitions, offerings, zoom seminars, etc. Many of these adaptations will become permanent, and our world will be changed forever. Buyers, by necessity, have become more comfortable buying online. The smart sellers will feed into this change by making the client even more comfortable. We will continue to follow this.

Many of you have asked how we did in the February storm. I was born in Dallas, and I never saw minus -2 with a minus-17 chill factor. Fortunately, having lived in New England, we knew what to do and didn’t lose power or electricity. This screw up, however, does have us looking at stand-alone generators. The insurance companies predict for the state of Texas, the financial loss will be worse than Katrina.

In this issue, we also commented on my friend Charles Venable’s departure as director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Charles deserved better. On the long view, the art world deserved better, and if we continue to sideline some of our most qualified and talented people, there will be a price to pay. This world desperately needs more honesty, grace, forgiveness, and, yes, courage.