Why does Frary Gallery use the term redeFineArt? Because we are simply an art gallery with an eclectic approach to contemporary art? No. We use the term because not only do we represent emerging artists and seasoned veterans, but we believe in honestly selling original artworks for real value and creating trust in an industry that has been glutted with copies and fakes and knock-offs.

The world of art has changed radically since the evolution of printing technology has become adequate enough to print currency and fake identification documents that would and have fooled government officials. So the “new” gallery has to be aware of the difference and be prepared to educate the public. If not, the value of all art will be brought to a new low and “real” original artwork will be lost in the race to mass produce everything under the sun.

Frary Gallery only sells originals, limited edition prints and artist’s proofs by the artists we represent. We know the history, providence and origination of every piece we sell. Our buyers and collectors know that they will be prepared to stand behind every piece we sell and can get a certificate of authenticity for every original piece of art.

Another way to RedeFineArt is the ability to meet and get to know many of the artists, at least the local ones. These are truly ways to separate this gallery from all of the “Art R Us” shops and websites where there is no proof of integrity and all you are getting is decoration and cookie cutter art that is made in a production method.

All of this is about not only making a sound investment in art, but you are supporting the future of an industry that may well become extinct…known as the bricks and mortar fine art gallery. The profusion of art being sold online, or at least offered, is growing exponentially every day. Just like everything else, there is quantity and then there is quality.

This week marks a first at Frary Gallery when I work with Stuart Bailey (known as Stu-Art) from Miami to create a live painting. This will take place on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at the Rosemary Rising 6th Annual Holiday Walk in the Rosemary District.

Not only is it a first for me, but for him as well. We have two radically different styles and methods of approaching our work. My style is to jump in and begin and see what evolves. His is to plan… and do a layout… and make most of the decisions about what will fill the canvas prior to making the first stroke.

This should be an interesting and engaging episode not only for us, but for the audience as well. I have no fear that the end result will be a lively and fun experience for us and the art lovers in Sarasota who will show up to see what happens. Stuart is a little nervous, not only because he’s concerned that we will flop, but because he’ll be outside his comfort zone in many ways. I’m confident that we will produce an epic piece of work and that the entertainment value will be worth the effort.

Just in case though, I have asked a friend who is a very funny fellow to join us and do a play-by-play to keep it light and cover for the seriousness that making an art piece can become. For my part, I am going to be my inner child and have fun! I hope that feeling of being uninhibited will lead to freedom from the pressure of worrying about whether something will sell or if anyone else will like it. I don’t care usually and I certainly won’t care this time because it’s purely for entertainment.

Stay tuned and I’ll write a follow up and post a photo of the finished product next week!

* Photo Credit – “Shrine to the Paint Gods” by Frary

I have now been in the art gallery business for just over a year. I have learned as much as I can about how art galleries operate, both from the past and to the present day. I have dealt with artists and buyers and other galleries. As far as I’m concerned, things have certainly changed since the art world went online.

Everything is about websites and online marketing and publicity. It’s about search words and SEO and your online site position. If you’re not in top position for the search words people Google, you are at the mercy of your position.

It doesn’t matter whether you have the best art and artists. Fair prices don’t matter either, because no one can find you to take advantage of it. What matters is that people can find you. So…that leads me to the conclusion that bricks and mortar location no longer has the same meaning as it used to.

Location, location, location now means search engine optimization? Google search words? Even the misspelled ones?

The other mildly disturbing trend in the art world is that everyone and anyone that has something to sell can have a website, artists included. Now, if every artist on the planet has their own website, as well as every gallery, no wonder prices have bottomed out for a lot of the art that everyone has glutted the internet with!

What the heck ever happened to the long-lived concept of supply and demand? Has original art become so commonplace that it is as easy to get to as the millions of art and artist websites online? Just something to think about when wondering what happened to the special value and uniqueness of fine contemporary original artworks. There is no scarcity of art anymore.

I just watched a documentary about the heroic efforts European museums went through to move and hide and protect their valuable art collections from the Nazi’s during WW2. Fine art will always have such value, I think. But maybe not…if we continue to belittle the mystery that has kept it that way down through the ages.

What then? How do we define the next trend in art sales…and the value put on contemporary art?

Lori Frary
Frary Gallery
1419 A 5th St.
Sarasota, FL 34236
frary@FraryGallery.com
941-362-0021

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