Montclair, NJ – If you’re a lover of fine art, but have always been intimidated by the process of selecting and purchasing art, fine art advisor Patricia Selden will ease your anxiety and provide you with the tools to be an informed collector. In a three-part series, “The Art of Buying Art,” with classes running October 14 to 28, practical matters such as how to evaluate artistic works, how to display works, and how to determine if a piece of art is fairly priced will be discussed. Participants will gain a better understanding of the art market, and a deeper appreciation for the differences between original art works and reproductions. Register online at www.montclair.edu/sssp/buyingart.
Patricia Selden specializes in helping private clients select art for homes and businesses with a jargon-free explanation of the latest information on the art market, art galleries, and art fairs, and educational resources that will give participants important advantages when making a purchase.
A founding member of the Montclair Arts Council and the Chair of the Public Art Committee, Selden has provided expert guidance on six public art projects in Montclair including the Bay Street Station, the Crescent Parking Deck, and the Siena Murals. She is also a trustee of the Montclair Art Museum and a member of that institution’s Art Committee. A resume can be found on her Web site: www.artadvisorservices.com
Two Thursday seminars — on October 14 and 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. — will be held on the Montclair State University campus. Also, the series will include a tour of the Chelsea Gallery District on Saturday, October 23.
The first class will explore the art marketplace, issues related to getting the most value from an art purchase, and providing tips on what to do inside art galleries to get the most from your visits. Selden will share insights on creating art collections and discuss opportunities in the current art market. Collecting characteristics by mediums, i.e. paintings, prints, sculpture, drawings, and photography will also be discussed and evaluated.
The second class will be a Saturday afternoon private tour and discussion of Chelsea galleries. It will include art viewing and presentations by exhibiting artists and gallery directors. Selected galleries will have artworks brought in especially for the series.
The last on-campus class will focus on insider tips to help you make art purchases that you will love years from now. It will also focus on the practicalities of ownership: documentation and authenticity, insider framing tips, and installation. Further, the class will explore the importance of the placement of art so that your purchase always has the showcase it deserves. You will learn to maximize the visual impact of the art and enhance your home environment.
This class is limited in size to allow for individualized assistance. The cost of this series could pay for itself by applying what is learned from the three sessions. For additional program information and to register, visit www.montclair.edu/sssp/buyingart.
Montclair State University
Montclair State was recently named by Forbes as New Jersey’s top public institution of higher education. It offers the advantages of a large university — a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body — combined with a small college’s attention to students.
Website http://www.montclair.edu
