Ground Floor Gallery

How to start an art collection: A guide for new buyers and investors on a budget

The Jean-Michel Basquiat painting that sold for $110.5 million at Sotheby’s. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s

July 20, 2017

How to start an art collection: A guide for new buyers and investors on a budget

Our ongoing series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. This week we have tips on how to start an art collection for both fun and future profit. In May 2017, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 painting of a skull sold for a mind-numbing $110.5 million at Sotheby's, becoming the sixth most expensive work in history to sell at auction. In fact, Sotheby's is known to record billions of dollars in art sales annually fed by wealthy art enthusiasts clamoring to hang the most rarefied of works. But for us plebeians who find the thought of buying fine art alluring but lack the finances needed to bid on a Pollock or a Picasso, what options are available to us? Ahead, Krista Scenna, an independent curator, gallerist and co-owner of Brooklyn's Ground Floor Gallery, gives 6sqft the low-down on how regular folks can begin to build a museum-worthy art collection on a budget. Addressing everything from how to vet emerging artists for value to the top three questions you need to ask yourself before you even begin your hunt to simply why you should invest in art in the first place, if you're new to the world of buying art, this guide is for you!
everything you need to know here

March 29, 2017

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 3/30-4/5

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting events occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Ahead Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer shares her top picks for 6sqft readers! Spring is upon us and so is a whole new week of great art events. This weekend, see some of the best of the photography world at AIPAD or head to Brooklyn to check out Welancora Gallery’s new partnership with Nu Hotel. The Brooklyn Museum is also deconstructing the artist’s persona and hosting a new Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition. #MidnightMoment also kicks off a new film in Times Square—this April, Naoko Tosa’s "Sound of Ikebana" will take over the screens every night. Finally, come pick up my new book, "The Art of Spray Paint," and check out its corresponding exhibition at Wallworks Gallery in the Bronx.
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Events & Things To Do

March 9, 2017

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 3/9-3/15

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting events occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Ahead Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer shares her top picks for 6sqft readers! A new month means a new art film across the screens in Times Square, with March inviting folks to jump into Matteo Zamagni’s "nature abstractions." Graffiti kings Crash, Bio and Nick Walker host an exclusive exhibition in the West Village, while Donna Ruff’s lace-like paper pieces are taking over Rick Wester in Chelsea. Artist Dionisios Fragias does a familial collaboration with his wife at Emmanuel Fremin, and Dexter Wimberly guest curates at Ground Floor Gallery presenting Tammy Nguyen. Spend the day fusing art and activism at MoMA’s Wikipedia edit-a-thon, then head to the French Consulate’s gorgeous bookstore, Albertine, for a talk with famed designer Agnes B. Finally, check out the Brooklyn Bazaar, at the former Polonaise Terrace, and pick up medical history ephemera, taxidermy, and other oddities at their special annual flea market.
More on all the best events this way

Events & Things To Do

August 26, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week- 8/25-8/31

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! Summer is winding down, but we're not ready to move back indoors. Jump a ferry and celebrate the season's end on Governors Island with an old fashioned oyster shuck. Get down (silently) outside at the Coney Island Art walls at the Quiet Clubbing Festival, or join artist Santhori in making a giant mural at the park on East 1st Street. Stretch out and appreciate Times Square on Jurgen Mayer H's XXX easy chairs, then head to the Bowery Wall to find your friends in Logan Hicks' giant new mural. Finally, the gallery prince of darkness JJ Brine is bringing his Vector Gallery back to New York, and two artists are turning Brooklyn's Ground Floor Gallery into a giant loom installation.
More on all the best events this way

Events & Things To Do

February 18, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 2/18-2/24

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! This week's less-frigid temperatures mean a great opportunity to head to Doris C. Freedman Plaza at the bottom of Central Park to experience the Public Art Fund's latest installation before it closes next week. Across the park, the final performance of the New York City Ballet's collaboration with artist Marcel Dzama is guaranteed not to disappoint (those costumes!). Ground Floor Gallery in Brooklyn is opening a group show inspired by the rare stone lapis, and Charlie Chaplin lights up the theater at the Rubin Museum. Semi-autobiographical film "Candy Apple" will accompany a chance to chat with director Dean Dempsey, and iconic art critic Hal Foster speaks at the Pratt Institue. Finally, as the ultimate example of the Williamsburg rent hike, seminal Williamsburg gallery PIEROGI opens its doors in... Manhattan.
All the best events to check out here

Events & Things To Do

Ground Floor Gallery

How to start an art collection: A guide for new buyers and investors on a budget

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 3/30-4/5

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 3/9-3/15

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week- 8/25-8/31

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 2/18-2/24

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