Art Collecting 101

Last week, George Wells of Wells Group co-hosted a seminar led by young Black finance and business executives, centering a conversation that rarely happens in boardrooms: how art collecting can be a powerful tool for cultural leadership, legacy, and long-term value.

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Joined by two extraordinary voices in the art world—Carla Camacho, Partner at Lehmann Maupin, and Anthony Roberts, a brilliant new friend and fellow Morehouse brother—we explored how to bridge two often separated worlds: commerce and creativity.

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That intersection is something I came to understand firsthand. Lehmann Maupin is more than just a gallery. It’s where I first discovered contemporary art while serving as Interim CFO and COO, gaining a front-row seat to how artists shape culture—and how collectors shape history.

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One of the most powerful frameworks we explored was ArtMatch’s approach to collecting, which centers instinct, emotion, and connection. Collecting, we agreed, isn’t just about ownership. It’s about love. You buy a piece not because you plan to sell it, but because it speaks to something within you. The real return isn’t financial—it’s cultural equity and perspective that lasts.

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Anthony and Carla joined me in sharing a playbook for building meaningful collections grounded in vision, integrity, and long-term value. This wasn’t about speculation. It was about stewardship.

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To the next generation of Black leaders in finance, business, and beyond: art is a mirror. Collect what reflects you. Collect what hasn’t yet been said. See the value before the market does—because that, done with purpose, is how you change who gets to be remembered.

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Why Collect Art?
Art collecting is a personal and powerful way to live with beauty and meaning. At its core, it’s about values—expressed through works that reflect culture, identity, and emotion.

 

Emotional Value Meets Investment Potential
Collectors are often motivated by emotional and social connection, but financial returns are real. Over the past 20 years, contemporary art has performed competitively with other asset classes. The art lending market alone exceeds $20B.

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Markets Are Artist-Specific
Returns vary widely. Successful collectors understand the dynamics behind individual artists:

• Support systems (galleries, curators)

• Institutional recognition (museum exhibitions and acquisitions)

• Supply and demand