Reasons Why Early Texas Art Collecting is Thriving
by Mark Kever
In his inaugural letter Mark Kever, TACO's President, addresses the existential question "whither Early Texas Art?"
From time to time in discussing my favorite topic, Early Texas Art, conversation will be directed towards the dark side. Maybe you have heard or even thought the following:
"I am just not sure about the future of Early Texas Art".
"There seems to be no young people involved".
"It has just become a rich man's game".
You know the drill. I could go on, but I won't because I must 100% disagree. Here is my reply to that small crowd of skeptics.
The demand for great art by the best artists is almost frenzied. Consider Julian Onderdonk. I personally know of at least seven transactions within the past twelve months involving Onderdonk sales in excess of $250,000 each.
The demand for Early Texas Art at Lower price points is not frenzied, but solid. Just this week a San Antonio dealer told me he had sold 40-50 paintings in one month earlier this summer. After selling art for years through his website and by phone, he intends to open a new gallery in Fredericksburg.
We have a strong network of museums behind Early Texas Art. Consider the blockbuster Texas Impressionism Exhibition now moving from Canyon to Abilene. Closer to home, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum have a renewed commitment to the art we love as well. There is more to come and it is very exciting.
We have a mature network of dedicated dealers supporting our art. Success breeds competition in all flavors from full time galleries, part time dealers, internet dealers, EBay dealers, dealers representing living Texas artists and even collectors that could be called dealers at times. (You know who you are.)
Early Texas Art has attracted a broad and talented group of academic researchers and authors. Grab the Alexandre Hogue book off your shelf from 2011 and marvel at it again. Another major book is due out in 2013 on Texas modernism.
Many of our own talented collectors are taking their own magnificent collections and knowledge on the road and to the public. A well-known Houston collector has been spotted numerous times this past year speaking, promoting and giving presentations literally all over our great state to a myriad of audiences.
Auction houses know a good thing when they see it. They provide a number of valuable services. With their broad customer lists they bring many paintings into the marketplace, educate and cross sell Texas-Western-American art, provide a great social gathering on auction day and support our passion financially.
Yes, a bargain can still be had from time to time. Maybe the days of A.C. Cook and Bill Cheek traveling across Texas, buying up major estates with no competition are mostly over. But I still routinely hear of the "find or bargain" of a lifetime. All you garage/estate/antique mall pickers keep it up.
We don't need young collectors for Early Texas Art to thrive. Let them continue to buy contemporary art from galleries that will likely depreciate 75% after hanging it on the wall. Collecting Early Texas Art is just geared to a more mature crowd. I did not start collecting until my late 40's, about the same time my tastes were changing from beer to fine wine, from rock music to the symphony etc...
There is great ETA for all tastes and all collectors. From the earliest German immigrant artists to the great impressionists, Dallas Nine regionalists, Austin and Houston modernists and West Texas landscape scenes. I am also very impressed with the talented group of living artists that are carrying on the Texas tradition. Artists such as Jon Flaming, Randy Bacon, Bob Stuth Wade, Natalie Erwin, Noe Perez and many more.