Question:
Are there local groups for contemporary collectors/art enthusiasts? How do I join?

Answer:
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
• List of AIC Interest Groups
• Society for Contemporary Art (SCA)
The SCA Promotes better understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through a series of lectures and meetings. Offering insights into the production, collection, and display of the art of our own time, the SCA's programs offer access to a roster of leading national and international artists, dealers, critics, art historians, and curators, as well as visits to private Chicago collections. Every year members review a selected group of contemporary works, and, through a voting process, choose one or more objects to purchase on behalf of the museum. SCA membership is available in 6 categories, ranging from $150 - $2,500. Contact Jenny Gheith for details: jgheith@artic.edu or 312-443-3630

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
• Collectors Forum
Dedicated to encouraging collecting in Chicago and enhancing knowledge of contemporary art through exclusive opportunities to view private collections, connect with other like-minded art enthusiasts, and explore contemporary art around the world. Annual dues support the MCA's exhibition programs as well as the acquisition of new works for the collection. Contact Lisa Key at 312-397-3867 or lkey@mcachicago.org.

• VERGE
The MCA's auxiliary group for young collectors helps the museum remain vital and relevant by creating dialogue among collectors of works by emerging international artists and providing fresh perspectives on Chicago's cultural community. Annual dues of $1,000 directly support the acquisition of works for the museum's collection. Contact Dominic Molon, Curator: 312-397-3852 or dmolon@mcachicago.org.

Question:
I recently inherited a few works of art from a relative and I think they could be valuable, but I don't know much about them or if I even want to sell them. Who might be able to help me?

Answer:
If you find yourself in possession of artwork you don't know much about, it's best to try to gather as much info on your own as possible - assemble photographs of the work and any paperwork that would help someone examining the work. See if you can tell from what gallery, if any, it was originally purchased. Consider returning to the gallery where the work was purchased, or to a gallery that represents the artist's work or work from the same genre. And don't forget to do a simple Google search, as well as look on our website.

If you wish to have a piece appraised for insurance or provenance purposes, contact an appraiser for a formal assessment. Several reputable appraisers are listed in our Art Service section.

If you are interested in a basic assessment with the idea that, if possible, you would like to sell the artwork on the secondary market, we recommend that you contact an auction house that might be able to even facilitate a sale on your behalf. A team of experts can sometimes provide a ball park estimate and let you know if they may also help you auction the works.

Question:
Do artists show their work in more than one gallery? Can I get a better price if I buy directly from the artist or if I shop around?

Answer:
When an artist has a gallery representing him or her, that gallery should be the only place to purchase the work in the city. The artist and dealer agree on the prices and the process. Since the representing gallerist is advising, promoting and showing the work of the artist all year long, he/she will make certain that the prices of the work in the gallery are consistent with those offered elsewhere – and the artist will honor that price in his/her studio as well.

Question:
How can I find a gallery to represent my work or me?

Answer:
First research galleries online and in person to determine an aesthetic match and appropriateness of the gallery to your work. Contact those galleries by phone or email to determine their individual preferred method of reviewing work. Remember to be patient when awaiting a response and keep in mind that a dealer's first responsibility is to support their current artist stable, so they can't spend all day reviewing work by outside artists.

Question:
How can I find employment in an art gallery?

Answer:
Each gallery does its own staffing. You are welcome to contact a gallery for which you have a special interest – or send your resume to info@chicagogallerynews.com. If we know of open positions, we will pass along the information. Above all, before contacting a gallery, familiarize yourself with the kind of artwork and artists they represent to determine if your experience and interests are a good match with the gallery.

September-December 2009: Ask Natalie Column

Question:
Where can I find work by up-and-coming Chicago artists?

Answer:
Every gallery district and every educational institution in Chicago offers the opportunity to discover exciting new Chicago artists.

Except for galleries that specialize in Old or Modern Masters, work from the 19th or early 20th century, or art from countries outside the US, most galleries here include work by Chicagoans in their programs. Listings of exhibition schedules or emphasis on “emerging” talent in Chicago Gallery News descriptions are good clues to discovering newcomers. Don’t hesitate to ask the dealers in the galleries you visit if they have work by Chicago artists.

Examples of galleries who exhibit some of Chicago’s most well-known artists are: Ann Nathan, Jean Albano, Printworks, Tony Wight, Aaron Packer, Roy Boyd, Carl Hammer, Thomas Robertello…to name only a few. Chicago artists whose work is shown in these galleries range from those with “emerging” careers to others who are established and internationally well-known.

In addition to gallery exhibits, The Museum of Contemporary Art features a Chicago artist each month in "12 x 12." You might also attend MFA shows at area art schools. These generally are held at the end of the academic year, and works usually are for sale. Among them: The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC); Columbia College; University of Illinois at Chicago, and the American Academy of Art. Some schools also have year-around galleries: Illinois Institute of Art; Betty Rymer Gallery and the Sullivan Galleries at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Columbia College’s DEPS spaces and galleries; University of Illinois’s I space.

There are special events such as the Chicago Artists Coalition’s annual Art Open, which features work by hundreds of local artists. This is held in October during Chicago Artists Month – an extensive program throughout the city featuring programs highlighting artwork by local artists.

Also included in Chicago Artists Month's schedule is the annual Pilsen East Artist’s Open House at the end of September, an event that has been going on for nearly 40 years. And each month the Chicago Arts District coordinates 2nd Fridays, when dozens of studios and spaces are open. Many other neighborhoods have started coordinating regular tours and walks as well. Keep your eyes open and it won’t take any time at all to start discovering new Chicago artists.