Today’s buyers use the Internet to acquire fine art
Disposing and purchasing of art through traditional methods such as auction houses and galleries has changed dramatically with the advent of the Internet. The model is very different today than it was fifteen years ago. There are comprehensive online databases of artists and art valuations just a click away. This gives you, the collector, ample information before you ever purchase a piece of art or visit a brick and motor gallery.
Buying fine art online
The companion website to this book CanyonRoadArts.com has a complete current listing of Santa Fe art galleries, museums with direct links to their websites. A quick visit online when your planning your art itinerary to Santa Fe will give you a good idea of what type and quality of art to expect.
The better the gallery/museum website and accompanying content the more likely you will have a memorable experience when you do visit Santa Fe. Educating yourself about galleries and artists before you visit helps make for a more informed art purchase. It also allows you to ask questions and know whom you are dealing with once you wall through the gallery door. The Canyon Road street view map on CanyonRoadArts.com is a great tool to easily locate your favorite gallery.
Selling fine art online
When it comes to selling artwork there are online options which allow direct sales. EBay is the longest standing Internet auction site, but now there are websites geared only to fine art, including askart.com, artnet.com and ArtUFind.com. These sites are great places to look for artist information, art values and serve as portals to bring collectors, artist, galleries and individual sellers together.
ArtUFind is an online art portal for buying and selling art with an emphasis on quality art. ArtUFind.com allows members to list artwork for sale starting at just $5/month. Unlike auctions, ArtUFind charges no commissions to sell artwork just low monthly fees, which can be canceled at anytime. ArtUFind is great art resource with over 5000 current gallery and 1200 museum listings including website links making it the most comprehensive and up to date art directory site on the Internet. There is no charge to use the sites database; it’s free to join for both collectors and sellers. Galleries can claim and manage their free listings.
So before you pullout the checkbook, take the time to do some online research, ask questions and above all buy what you like, even if it has to match the pink couch.