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How to start an art collection in NYC

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How to start an art collection in NYCNewsletter Sign UpSharePhoto Credit: Affordable Art Fair New York / Phillip ReedIn a city where you’re surrounded by art — from the classics at the Met to Chelsea’s contemporary art gallery scene to performers on the subway — day-to-day life is an immersive art experience. “The art community is extremely dynamic and diversified (in New York City),” said Ashkan Baghestani, Head of Contemporary Day Sale at Sotheby’s. “People are interested in art and … sophisticated New Yorkers are people who spend time appreciating art. That does not mean they always buy it.” So when it comes to bringing that art into your home, where do you start? And is it even possible on a budget?From September 20 through September 24, the Affordable Art Fair is in New York City. The fair started in London in 1999 and began its NYC iteration in 2002.“We are a fair that is extremely approachable and a friendly environment whether (attendees) have collected before or never interacted with the fine art world,” said Affordable Art Fair NYC Director Erin Schuppert. “The idea was this mission to make art accessible and remove that barrier that it’s scary, and that mystique.”The international event is just one opportunity for beginners and non-collectors to access art. Baghestani said those looking to purchase art for the first time should be on the lookout for opportunities like this all the time. The biggest misconception around art, he says, is that it’s “expensive and elitist, and it’s not. It’s for everyone.”The Affordable Art Fair is a gallery fair, meaning all the exhibitors are galleries or artist collectives that come from all around the world, but with an emphasis on art local to the fair’s city. The New York fair will show artwork from the city and the tri-state area. And, all the creators are living so as to support working artists. “Each fair has its own local fair team that curates, selects galleries, and talks to the galleries about the artist selection,” said Schuppert. “We have recorded data on what we are seeing that our audience is responding well to, and prices can change to reflect the buying market.”Speaking of prices, everything at the fair is clearly priced between $100 and $12,000 and is available to wrap up and take home that day. Most of the items are 2D, meaning paintings, photographs, collages, and fiber art.It’s also a good place to start because it’s a sort of safe space for beginners. “I’ve been working in this industry for a decade now and even I can feel intimidated walking into a large art fair,” said Schuppert. “I think it’s important to have a friendly environment so people can have confidence in their own taste. Art can be enjoyed and collected by everyone.”The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Arts Center at Governors Island is open in the summer months and showcases emerging local artists. “We work hard to ensure all our visitors feel welcome, and no prior knowledge of art is necessary to enjoy what’s on view,” said Jess Van Nostrand, director of exhibitions and public programs for LMCC. Open Studio events, like an upcoming one on Sept. 30, allow the public to interact with an artist in residence.LMCC is dedicated not only to supporting up-and-coming art collectors but to the artists as well, by helping them with affordable studio space, access to exhibitions, and networking to sell their art.“Add in the element of trying to sustain a living in New York City, and it’s not easy! But if you think about what makes New York special, arts and culture are usually near the top of the list, so it’s incredibly vital to the health of the city that artists are able to live and work here,” said Van Nostrand.Art Fair 14C, Spring/Break, Art on Paper, and the NY Art Book Fair are other great options in New York.Baghestani says auctions are a great place to find affordable art. Auction house websites will post new sales every few weeks with prices starting “super low” – sometimes at just $1. But Baghestani warns people not to get too excited about that price point as the bidding escalates pretty quickly, but he does think it’s reasonable to get a piece of fine art for somewhere between $3,000-$5,000. “In a time of high inflation, I did see a shift in the last few years; you could get something for $1,000 and now it’s more $3,000-$5,000.”When it comes to buying from galleries, especially in New York City where there is a high caliber, Baghestani says to focus on “young” galleries. “They will have things under $10,000 price point,” he said. Go diligently every three months to keep up with inventory and new artists.Also, be aware that galleries often have wait times, especially for “hot” artists — Baghestani said he’s waited over a year for a piece. If you have your eye on a piece from a new young artist that either has a long wait time or is starting at a fairly high price point, it’s a fair bet that the artist’s work will only get more expensive, so it could be time to set your sights on something else, he says.So, how do you know if the art you are buying is “good”? Well, as the old adage goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.“I don’t like the term ‘investment,’” says Baghestani. “Trends change a lot. Just like trends in fashion, they come and go. If you buy purely as an investment and you don’t enjoy living with it, then God forbid if it’s worth nothing, you are stuck with it. Buy what you like and if it’s a good investment, then great.”Luckily for New Yorkers, if it’s hanging in a gallery in the epicenter of the art world, someone who knows what they are talking about thinks it’s good. Baghestani advises to take note of which galleries represent the artist and if those galleries have a good reputation or are tied to any museums. Read articles and reviews on Artnet, Artforum, and the New York Times. Ask yourself: Does the artist have a novel style or is their work a derivative of something other artists did 10 or 20 years ago? These are all ways you can start to navigate the art world and learn to “train your eye” to spot quality work.But really, experts say it is as simple as just figuring out your taste and what you love.“Sometimes when we say ‘train your eye,’ it sounds formal, but fairs like this are the perfect environment to get a sense of what you respond to,” Schuppert said. “There is such a variety and so many different styles and media all in one place. Take note as you walk around on what draws you in and catches your eye.”“Spend a lot of time on a Saturday and do the galleries downtown in Chelsea and Tribeca,” said Baghestani. “Go to museum exhibitions, small and large. The MoMA, The Whitney, The New Museum because, don’t forget, even though they have permanent collections and a lot of inaccessible artists, it’s still a good way to educate yourself.”Try and hone in on what you want, he says. “It’s a vast art world and there is a lot to consider. Be more focused.” So, if you like photography, focus on photography galleries and auctions. If you like classical art, focus on that. You also will figure out what your buying personality is. Some people, says Baghestani, are just inspired and see something they love and that speaks to them right away and buy it. Others like to take time to do due diligence. “It depends on your character.”But, whether you spend years or months on it, the exploratory, educational stage should not be skipped, he says.As an art capital of the world, Baghestani calls the scene in NYC a “thriving ecosystem” of diverse styles from the highbrow works on the Upper East Side to emerging artists in Chinatown, Harlem, and Brooklyn.“The offering is huge,” he said. “There are all these small little museums — beautiful gems that people don’t know as much about — like MoMA PS1 and the Drawing Center.”“We feel really lucky to be able to have the fair in NYC because there is such a culturally savvy audience from being around culture,” added Schuppert. “And lucky to be able to have so many amazing exhibitors right here around us.”Baghestani of Sotheby’s suggests checking out these NYC galleries and artists:Galleries:Artists:Schuppert offers these exhibitors to check out at the NYC Affordable Art Fair:More: City Living, NYC GuidesYour email address will not be published.S“Try and hone in on…”?No, it’s “Try to home in on…”Take a TourThe U.S. Open is upon us. In New York City, it’s one of the big social events on the calendar with a guest list that includes everyone from A-listers to the average New Yorker. The U.S. Open is part of the Grand Slam of tennis: the Australian, French, and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon Championships.READ MOREThe lobby of The Rockaway Hotel and Spa has a distinct scent – fresh and perfumy. It’s reminiscent of walking into a posh hotel on Miami Beach.&nbsp;But Rockaway Beach is not Miami. It’s a true Queens neighborhood with bungalows lining the streets leading over to the boardwalk and expansive Atlantic Ocean-facing beach. Locals lugging sandy beach chairs or grocery bags to and from their houses greet each other by name. Directly across the street from The Rockaway is Happy Jack’s Burger Bar, serving pub food and named for a former NYPD police officer and Korean War veteran. Attached to the hotel is the Greenhouse Cafe selling matcha lattes and “rocket fuel” coffee. The hotel, by architect Morris Adjmi, is tall and modern but fits into the neighborhood well from the outside. The interior is much trendier than anything else on its block — or any of the nearby blocks for that matter.see insideNothing says summer in the Northeast like sitting by the water with fresh seafood and a cold drink. Lobster rolls, oysters, and steamers on the coast probably conjure up images of weekends in the Hamptons, Cape Cod, or Maine, but there are some hidden gems right here in New York City that will make you feel like you’re on a summer getaway — and you don’t even have to battle that weekend traffic. Here are four spots to check out while summer is still in full swing.see the spots6sqft turns 10 next year and we are kicking off the celebration early by debuting a new look. Since 2014, we have been a go-to source for both New Yorkers and newbies navigating the five boroughs and beyond. With our coverage of real estate and housing news, design trends, neighborhood happenings, and distinctive New York City homes, 6sqft provides an up-close look at the people, places, and ideas shaping this amazing city.More hereAnother heat wave is here. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for New York City starting this week, with temperatures expected to reach over 90 degrees.&nbsp;Staying&nbsp;cool on a hot day is no joke, as heat contributes to the deaths of roughly 350 New Yorkers each year. Ahead, find&nbsp;some ways to beat the heat, from taking a swim in one of the city's free&nbsp;outdoor pools&nbsp;to running through&nbsp;spray showers and sprinklers at your local park.Beat the heatThe city&nbsp;is filled with picnic possibilities in the form of parks and gardens. New York City is also known for its&nbsp;accessible secrets, and our shortlist of urban&nbsp;escapes–whether hidden in plain sight or tucked away–are great to visit any time, but as off-the-beaten-path&nbsp;picnic spots, they shine.Discover a new favorite picnic placeTake a TourVIEW ALL"Rise up NYC," a series of free concert events, is returning to New York City after&nbsp;debuting last summer. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the second year of the event series,&nbsp;which&nbsp;will bring eight easily-accessible live performances to all of the five boroughs. This year's Rise Up NYC will kick off on Wednesday, July 19, and run through Sunday, August 20, featuring critically acclaimed artists like K. Michelle, Stokley, Farmer Nappy, and Hot 97 Disc Jockey Funk Flex, with more&nbsp;performers to be announced.Find out more"New York City has different changes and energies throughout the seasons," says Robert Atterbury, executive vice president of relationships and programs for the Hudson River Park Trust. And the summer season is the time when parks and outdoor public spaces come alive. New Yorkers come out from apartments, offices, and coffee shops to run, stroll, picnic, hang out — and work out for free — in the city's beautiful outdoor spaces. "It's part of what makes New York New York — the outdoor gathering. It is important, and I think it shows off the diversity that NYC offers," Atterbury said.Where to get fit for freeLarry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties has joined the cast of prominent developers competing for one of three downstate casino licenses. Silverstein Properties on Friday announced plans for "The Avenir," a hotel, casino, entertainment, and residential development on a vacant plot of land on the border of Hudson Yards and Hell's Kitchen. Located at 41st Street and 11th Avenue, just north of the Javits Center, the proposed 1.8 million square foot project includes two 46-story towers with a luxury hotel, a top-floor performance hall, affordable housing, and an eight-story casino run by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment at the base.See more hereJust months after New Yorkers&nbsp;lamented the loss of Regal Union Square, the company announced a deal to keep the movie theater open after all.&nbsp;Regal last week said&nbsp;it had signed a new long-term lease with Related Companies to continue the operation of&nbsp;its&nbsp;theater&nbsp;at Broadway and 13th Street for "many years to come." In January, the country's second-largest movie theater planned to close 39 locations, including Regal Union Square, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings,&nbsp;as&nbsp;EV Grieve&nbsp;reported.Find out moreHudson River Park's Chelsea Waterside Park reopened last week after an extensive $15.2 million renovation. Designed by Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP and CDR Design Studio Architects, the park has been enhanced with new plantings, a public restroom, a permanent picnic area with lighting, a spacious turf sports field, and an expansive dog run. Located at West 23rd Street and the Westside Highway in Manhattan, the revamped park's layout prioritizes usable green space for New Yorkers.See more hereWith hundreds of parks and over 500 miles of waterfront, New York City is an excellent place for bird watching. The five boroughs serve as a temporary and permanent home to over 400 species of bird, thanks to both&nbsp;habitat diversity and location on the Atlantic Flyway, the route birds follow during migrations. From Pelham Bay Park in the northeast Bronx down to Great Kills Park on the South Shore of Staten Island, there is no shortage of birding activities in New York. We've rounded up the best places to find feathered friends throughout the city, most of which are accessible via public transportation. For guided bird-watching&nbsp;tours and walks, check out events from&nbsp;NYC Parks, NYC Audubon, and the Linnaean Society of New York.Full list ahead1289 Lexington AvenueCarnegie HillRefined living on the Upper East SideLearn MoreWe love to hear from you!"" indicates required fieldsIt’s free, with no obligation."" indicates required fieldsor Call (212) 755-5544It’s free, with no obligation."" indicates required fieldsor Call (212) 755-5544No Worries. 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How to start an art collection in NYCNewsletter Sign UpSharePhoto Credit: Affordable Art Fair New York / Phillip ReedIn a city where you’re surrounded by art — from the classics at the Met to Chelsea’s contemporary art gallery scene to performers on the subway — day-to-day life is an immersive art experience. “The art community is extremely dynamic and diversified (in New York City),” said Ashkan Baghestani, Head of Contemporary Day Sale at Sotheby’s. “People are interested in art and … sophisticated New Yorkers are people who spend time appreciating art. That does not mean they always buy...

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