Information and inspiration for art-lovers
By Kristin Hoerth
Story Time for Three by Rosalind Cook in Edmond, OK.
This story was featured in the October 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Welcome to our annual collector’s issue. It’s become our tradition here at Southwest Art to focus each October not just on artists who are worth your attention, but also on more detailed information about buying—and living with—original art.
Every few years, we survey a select group of experts from different parts of the art world and ask them to help us take stock of western art as it stands today. This year we spoke to gallery owners, auction directors, and event organizers in nearly every corner of the West, from Scotts-dale to Santa Barbara to Jackson Hole to Santa Fe. We asked them, what’s new and different these days? How have things changed? What do you see happening? What should art-lovers know?
The information they shared is important for anyone who’s interested in fine art, not just for so-called “serious” collectors with substantial budgets and a preference for blue-chip deceased masters. (You don’t have to spend a certain amount of money—or own a certain number of paintings, for that matter—to be a serious collector.) The experts’ thoughts and observations, which you’ll find in our story on page 74, help us all understand what’s going on with artists and art-making in today’s world.
Each October, we also love to turn the spotlight on those of you who have built impressive collections. This time we’re taking an in-depth look at a massive public art collection, composed mainly of sculpture, in the small town of Edmond, OK (see page 80). It’s not the only collection of its kind, but it’s notable for its scale and for having strong support from the city itself. All of which is due in large part to local attorney, former mayor, and collector extraordinaire Randel Shadid, who spearheaded the effort to acquire Edmond’s first five pieces back in 2000.
Today the collection numbers nearly 200 pieces and is worth some $4 million. It attracts tourists and potential new residents alike. And the list of artists included reads like a who’s who of western sculpture: Gerald Balciar, Glenna Goodacre, Gary Lee Price, Paul Rhymer, Blair Buswell, Wayne Salge, Jane DeDecker, Sandy Scott, Denny Haskew, Joshua Tobey, Jim Budish, Tony Hochstetler, Shirley Thomson-Smith, Tim Cherry, and the late Dave McGary, among many others. It’s all proof that collectors, and art, can make a major impact in the community and in the world.
This story was featured in the October 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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