Scene Magazine, January 6, 2005, ArtsScene 25

Collecting Art 101
By Ben Benedict

	Collecting Art 101, Group Exhibition, January 2005, installation shot London's art patrons will have a chance to return to school as Michael Gibson Gallery presents Collecting Art 101, an exhibit focusing on the importance of collecting original art. The exhibit's conception belongs in part to Jennie Kraehling, gallery assistant, who acknowledged it was developed by talking and thinking through the idea to "fill a need or gap in the city." Promotional materials state "We want to demonstrate how art enhances living environments --to show how art improves your quality of life and how collecting art is a rewarding, evolving process." In speaking with Michael Gibson he's quick to point out the mantra of the collector: "The average collector is not collecting for future value but for the joy of the work." This exhibit and others in the recent months have had the feel of a public rather than a private, commercial gallery, so I asked Gibson how exhibits like this impact the gallery and the artists represented. "We need to be innovative and market the gallery and the art in a different way to generate interest for people to come out," Gibson said. "I remember where I came from, so we want people to come in and look and enjoy art as part of their downtown experience." The gallery's role is to bring together art collectors, art aficionados and the artists themselves, Gibson said. "Some of the artists we handle aren't that well known in London but are in Toronto, Montreal or Calgary. This helps to promote them locally," he said. "Part of any goal is to create a gallery that has national attention." As for the artists represented in this exhibit, "The concept is that this is the best of the best, which is what we do at art fairs. The artists we are showing is because we believe they are collectable and can be passed on to their children. Art is very personal, it's something personal to the collector that stays in the family."
	Collecting Art 101, Group Exhibition, January 2005, installation shot . Given the multifaceted approach to this show in meeting the commercial needs of the gallery, encouraging patrons to be active participants in London's art community, and serving the various needs of his client base, the collectors and artists, I asked Gibson the top three factors in buying original art he uses when advising new collectors. "Knowledge and research -- an informed decision. You want to form a relationship with people in galleries and subscribe to art magazines," Gibson began. "Visual consumption -- you have to look at a lot of art because people don't generally know what they like," he added. "Visit public galleries, push yourself and get to know artists." "A commitment -- one piece a year and a commitment to the first two principles," he finished. There are also key questions you should ask also like "What is your collection about" and "Where do you want to be and how much do you want to invest now and in 25 years," Gibson added. To support collectors, Gibson Gallery, like many commercial galleries offers free delivery in Ontario, installations, payment plans, free in-home inspections, and art on approval. "Take them for a week, do you grow towards or away," Gibson explained. Gibson is clear in his role. "We want people to say 'Help us collect art.' It is a passion, my knowledge is from doing, gut reactions, traveling and visiting with artists." "You have to believe," he added. "It takes a real high level of commitment to make it in this business."

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