Would you like to meet these collectors: Lisa Young and Steven Abraham (doors closing in 72 hours)
Published: Fri, 08/26/22
They are also some of the warmest and most approachable collectors that Praxis members got the opportunity to meet through our weekly
Roundtables:
Lisa Young and Steven Abraham, Collectors
Lisa and Steven are not rich, they had a refreshing approach because they are using the money they are saving from their respective jobs to collect art. They are very passionate and have a great curiosity. They are always looking.
I think these two collectors would be particularly good for you to meet, .
Here is why:
First, with all these collectors, the best approach is to research them, look at their collection, and show your connection to their collection somehow.
Lisa and Steve are super intentional and mindful about the pieces they collect, so that actually makes it easier for you as an artist to reach out to them and connect your work to their collection.
For example, their collection focuses on artists that have often been overlooked, from all parts of the world..
Therefore, you could say something like:
“ I admire the paintings you collect that were mentioned in Praxis Center, especially the one in the background that you talked at length about.” I especially relate to that work because my paintings are… (and here is your chance to mention your work).
And if your work is outside that focus, you can always write to them and ask:
“I watched the Artist Roundtable you attended at the Praxis Center on [date]. After listening to you at that event and looking at your website, I noticed that your collection focuses primarily on BIPOC work and also on women’s work. Do you ever step outside of that speciality? For example, my work is about [your art’s focus]. Would you be interested in a studio visit?”
Second, most of the collectors I introduce my students to here at Praxis are billionaires. They have Foundations or inherited collections that stretch decades, and they can be intimidating to talk to if you are new to these conversations.
For example, we recently had a Roundtable with a collector from Chile who started collecting after his father bought him an Andy Warhol when he begged for it at 16.
As “emerging collectors”, in a sense, Steve and Lisa could be less intimidating to connect with than the billionaires ones we usually interview.
Third, they literally set aside money for upcoming purchases of artists they are interested in.
What’s the benefit of this to you as an artist?
Imagine you’re doing a solo show.
People unfamiliar with your work walk into the gallery and already on opening night see 10 paintings marked “sold” to collectors.
That increases the perceived value of your art, creates FOMO (fear of missing out), and makes the remaining paintings easier to sell.
Fourth, Lisa and Steve prefer to collect, and champion, contemporary artists like you:
“Ideally we do a studio visit as well, because I think that's really the special part about collecting contemporary and emerging artists. You do get to have that direct relationship with someone as they still live. And really, your participation as a collector directly helps them in their daily lives and their careers. And that to us, makes it a lot more fulfilling essentially.”
Fifth, Lisa and Steve don’t just collect art. They “champion” artists.
Here are some examples of how they support the artists they champion:
- They buy directly from artists…
- They introduce artists to galleries and then buy through the gallery to support the “ecosystem” of the art world…
- They loan works to museums and shows in service of more exposure for their artists…
- They introduce artists to their network, like a writer friend who is looking to do an article about exciting artists or a curator who is working on a show…
- They get their art lawyer friends to help their artists to draft up contracts…
- They specifically focus on helping you *sustain* your art practice. They even had a doctor co-worker give health advice to artists because they want to support artists in multiple ways.
Because as they point out:
“Mid-career is such a long time, right? All these artists that we highlight are emerging, and oftentimes they get such a hard exposure in the beginning, but can they sustain it? That's something that we really think about, as well.”
Anyway, would you like to meet these collectors: Lisa Young and Steven Abraham?
As a Praxis member, you can!
- You get access to their contact information - as well as the private contact details of 100+ other prestigious collectors, curators and art dealers…
- You get to meet them live at a Praxis Roundtable, which is a Zoom call with a different collector or curator each week…
- And you can ask me to personally edit your emails and letters before you reach out to the collectors you meet at these Roundtables…
I’m willing to bet that if you ONLY showed up for the weekly Praxis Roundtables over Zoom* and met the collectors, curators and dealers that are there, without doing ANYTHING else, you will at the very least 3X your investment right away.
Which is why I offer a money back guarantee if you are not happy.
Join the VIP Edition of Praxis Center Membership (Monthly $59/m | Annual $595/yr) and unlock a truly international circle of influencers who can support your studio practice from the blank canvas to the museum acquisition!
Enrolment closes 28th August. No exceptions.
PS: And if you are unable to show up live for any of these sessions for whatever reason, you get the recording and the contact info of the speaker afterwards.)