Shopping for Art at Student Sales/Exhibitions

Have any of you seen the documentary Herb and Dorothy, readers? This film tells the fascinating story of a couple (Herb and Dorothy Vogel) with modest means as a postal worker and a librarian who amass a world-class collection of modern art. My take-away from that documentary was this: anyone, with any salary, can become an art collector if the passion and interest is there.

Today, I thought it would be fun to talk about one strategy for purchasing unique and still-affordable art: by shopping at art school student exhibitions and sales.

At the start of their documentary, the Vogels explain that they began their collection with minimalist art in the early sixties rather than pop art because the latter was at its height of popularity and cost. It was just too expensive for the couple to afford. Instead, Herb and Dorothy began by collecting pieces that

1) were affordable;
2) came from new artists that they could develop a relationship with; and
3) excited them (undoubtedly the most important part of collecting for Herb and Dorothy).

It doesn't hurt that their collection included pieces by Pablo Picasso, Richard Tuttle, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Robert Mangold, Richard Serra...just to name a few. But the cache of these established art figures only emphasizes how any artist--no matter how great their prominence may become--started out as an unknown.

Inspired by Herb and Dorothy, Adam and I decided to check out what the latest crop of art graduates (from the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts) had produced at PAFA's annual student exhibition/sale on Tuesday. The artists on display were earning their BFAs and MFAs and the talent in the gallery was through the roof. The exhibition/sale runs from May 10 - June 2, so much of the art had been sold already. Nevertheless, there were many pieces that we would have purchased--most under $1,000.

Here are a few young artists that both Adam and I would love to see more of:
Laura Giannini (how cool is this lucite puzzle?):

Ben Grapsy (I loved his use of color!):

Jana Karpovica (this artist's work felt like a dream):

Victoria Martinotti (an artist with absolute command over her medium. These paintings were breath-taking):

Katia Setzer (most of her pieces were sold otherwise I might have insisted we buy them all):

(all via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

Similar sales run annually at other top-tier art schools around the country, such as RISD, MICA, and Mass Art, just to name a few. Adam and I have already decided to check out PAFA's sale next year.

And even if we don't become the next Herb and Dorothy, it is always intellectually and emotionally rewarding to see and support (and purchase, if possible) young artists' work. Have you ever purchased art from an art school exhibition? If not, would you consider it?