How to Collect Art in Columbia
Feeling inspired by mid-Missouri’s incredible art scene? Your own collection is in closer reach than you might think. Check out these tips from CoMo’s art scene and go pick out a masterpiece.
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Go where the artists are.
“The art scene in Columbia is alive and well,” says northeast Missouri collector Kelly Lewis, who regularly drives into town to hang out with artists. Lewis is partial to Americana, folk art, and antiques, and she has a soft spot for Joel Sager’s “Rural Structures” series. Lewis encourages future collectors to visit local galleries and festivals until they find what has meaning for them. “For me, it’s about having a reaction to a painting, something that will add to my quality of life and makes me happy.” In addition to attending First Fridays in Columbia’s North Village Arts District, Lewis recommends connecting with artists at regional events like the Macon Fork & Cork Artisan Festival, the Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival, in Kirksville, and the Autumn Historic Folklife Festival, in Hannibal.
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Purchase pieces that move you.
“People are looking for art that reflects themselves back to them,” says Melissa Williams, local art seller and broker. “When they find it, it’s like a bell rings for them. It rings for everyone. You just have to tune your ear.” “Our gallery is all about relationships,” says Amy Meyer, curator of Sager Braudis Gallery. “Introducing our patrons to artists and artworks that they can connect with is a joy.” Meyer encourages buyers to experience the art they are considering, even if that means taking it home on a trial basis. She says, “We want people to love works they acquire.”
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Take advantage of local inspiration.
Jefferson City physician David Lancaster has never thought of himself as a collector, just an appreciator of art. The benefactor of a rich artistic heritage, David likes to hang out in downtown Columbia with his family whenever he has the chance. “There’s a growing creative vibe in Columbia,” he says. “It makes for an inspirational climate.” David and his wife will often make a night of the art scene in downtown Columbia, bringing their three school-age children to town for a nice dinner and a tour of their favorite spots, including Orr Street Studios, Columbia Art League, and Sager Braudis. “I love all types of art. It’s what makes us human,” David says. “If we see something we love and can afford it, we’ll purchase it. Art can evoke emotions that words can’t come close to expressing.”
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Think long-term.
Law professor Thom Lambert and Peter Kingma, partner at Ernst & Young, split their time between Chicago and Columbia and often rotate their art between homes. They have been active collectors for seven years and even commissioned local artist David Spear to create a mural that reflects their dual city lifestyle. Peter and Thom have purchased more than 30 works of art from Sager Braudis, most by Missouri artists, and are especially fond of two pieces from JD King’s “Workhorse” series. Peter encourages collectors to think of art as something to be treasured for generations. “We live in such a disposable world, where things come in and out of fashion,” he says. “I take comfort in the fact that, for years to come, I will be able to take solace in pieces like Joel Sager’s landscapes.”
This article appeared in print as part of “The Secret Life of the Local Art Collector”