art galleries

by Nanci Gregg

What's on their walls is a statement about a person’s perception of life and their place in the world. “I’ve seen  a lot of  interior interiors,” says Shelley Liles McBurney of Gallery One. “I’ve seen absolutely huge homes with not a bit of original art in them and, conversely, very small cottages or condos with the most interesting artwork. Original art can be a reflection of the homeowner’s personal interests, aesthetic preferences, even values.  Artwork can stimulate conversation and provide years of shared enjoyment. Aside from its decorative application, art can help give a home its ‘soul.’”

Clay Whitelaw of Richland Fine Art says the art market in Nashville has grown in the last 10 years. “With the opening of many more retail galleries and the Frist Center, buyers have had a chance to see different types of work. As they become more familiar with looking at art, the gallery-goers have begun to recognize the value of purchasing originals, rather than mass-produced work.”

At the Midtown Gallery, Gary Tisdale says, “Today’s art buyer is more knowledgeable about original art and is more discriminating in selecting art. They have come to realize that art is very personal and should inspire some emotional response and not just “match the sofa.”
Art buyers have changed in the past decade, according to Tonia Trotter of The Rymer Gallery. “The change exists individually in each buyer. It’s generational. Art is like life—it follows a continuum. So, a collector’s eye develops as they mature.”

In agreement with other authorities, Chris Gowen of Picture This on 5th says, “In my experience customers are buying more original artwork and fewer reproductions.” The gallery sells a lot of original paintings, mixed media work, and photography.

Zeitgeist Gallery is seeing art buyers from all sectors, according to Lain York. “We see people just getting started, clients actively collecting, and collectors that previously were not looking at Nashville galleries who were buying all their art from elsewhere.

Some…, who have moved here and have been collecting in larger market cities, are finding new artists in which they’re interested. The economic downturn has worked in our favor as area clients are really taking this opportunity to see what is available locally. It seems that the art market (the contemporary market in particular) is in a big transition after coming off a huge boom. Oversaturated markets are suffering.”

York adds, “Collecting art can and should be fun. Buying for investment is always a risky venture and we emphasize that clients should buy what they ‘like.’ The Nashville area offers a great opportunity to discover new talent and begin collecting works from artists who are showing in museums.”

Saying that art can complete the look and feel of a room, Dionne Harris of Woodcuts Gallery & Framing reports that art collectors today are a little more conservative with regards to price. “They want more ‘bang for their buck’ and are more selective than they were 10 years ago.”
Emily Harper of Magpie etc., a gallery of sorts (that’s the name), says even during the economic downturn two truths have been constant. “An artist will continue to create art. It’s what makes them an artist. And a buyer, if he or she wants a piece, be it a painting or other original work, will buy it,” she says. Most popular, she adds, is “art that is tangible. Small prints and jewelry, large pieces are always attention getter, but it seems individuals have a harder time placing them in their everyday spaces.” Specializing in original paintings, Local Color Gallery offers a wide range of work from artists such as Gay Peach, Kim Barrick, and Paige Morehead with prices ranging from $300 to $3,000.

Gallery One’s McBurney reports that sculpture is drawing attention in her gallery. “Sculpture commands a presence and can provide a bit of ‘the unexpected’ in a room. The gallery offers a wide range of art styles representing nearly 30 painters and sculptors in prices from $400 to $30,000.

Original art creates a visual presence in a room, according to Whitelaw. “The right painting can make your room come alive. Don’t limit yourself to matching your color scheme. Buy a painting that ‘speaks to you,” trust your instincts, and, chances are, it will harmonize with your other furnishings. Don’t get caught up in trendy fads and don’t be in a hurry to hang ‘just anything.’ A home is more interesting with a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces.”

Richland Fine Art offers original paintings from more than 30 painters across the country, including 15 Nashville area painters.

Prices range from $300 to $10,000.

Tisdale reports that as people continue their “nesting” behavior and are spending more time at home they are “much more aware of their surroundings and are planning for art just as they are for furniture. I advise clients to purchase only artwork they truly love. If it proves to be a good long-term investment, wonderful.”

Prices at Midtown Gallery range from $100 to $5,000.

Trotter says the Rymer Gallery sells works from across all mediums, from nontraditional landscapes and crayon sculpture to handcut paper  
installations and traditional works. “Art defines a space. What distinguishes fine art from home decor is its ability to be appreciated over time. Trends in interior design come and go, but fine art holds its value and significance,” she says.