Collecting with Purpose: The Story Behind The Bennett Prize [Podcast]
In this episode of the Artist Next Level Podcast, host Sergio Gomez dives deep into the world of art collecting with two passionate and dedicated patrons of the arts, Steven Alan Bennett and Elaine M. Schmidt. Known for their remarkable collection of figurative realist paintings, the Bennetts have not only made a name for themselves as influential collectors but also as philanthropists who are shaping the future of women in art through The Bennett Prize.
The Bennett Prize: A Vision for Women in Art
Created in 2018, The Bennett Prize awards $50,000 to a woman artist to create her own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings. The prize gives women artists the opportunity to shine and gain well-deserved recognition in the art world. But The Bennett Prize is more than just an award. It is a movement to elevate women painters and open new doors for them, particularly those who may have yet to reach full professional recognition. With the prize’s inaugural year seeing over...
The Art of Attracting Collectors: From Hunter to Planter Mentality
How can artists attract art collectors and build a sustainable career?
By Sergio Gomez
Let me share a personal story that might just change the way you think about finding art collectors. Like many of you, I used to constantly ask myself, "How do I find art collectors?" It was a question that seemed both daunting and frustrating, as if I were a hunter desperately seeking elusive prey. But let me tell you, my friends, that question led me down a path of disappointment and uncertainty.
Asking the Wrong Question
As an emerging artist, I thought my job was to go out and find collectors wherever they might be hiding. I believed they were playing a game of hide-and-seek, and it was up to me to uncover their secret locations. But the more I searched, the more discouraged I became. It was a never-ending cycle of frustration.
Shifting the Perspective
It took me years, as I grew and matured as an artist, to realize that I had been asking the wrong question all along. The real question...