Gallery Name: Art Fusion Galleries
Director: William Braemer
Location: 1 Northeast 40th Street, Suites 3, 6 & 7, Miami, FL 33137
Website: www.artfusiongallery.com
· How did your interest in the business of art begin?
I have always been interested in art. When I was a boy, I would take my mother’s canvases and oil paints and experiment. Even though I always made a huge mess of her art supplies, she never stopped encouraging me. As a young man, my father always took me to art galleries, museums and high end Auction Houses in New York City. It was then that I became enamored by the art world and its business.
I have been involved in many businesses in my lifetime. I have studied the Fashion Industry, Culinary Arts and Hospitality businesses, but the arts have always been my passion. Throughout my life, regardless of what industry I was working in, I have always made time to paint. I have always lost myself in a canvas and felt a sense of freedom and security in creating a work of art.
· Is this your first gallery? Do you have a history of gallery work?
After many years of working in the hospitality industry, I decided to follow my passion and begin to exhibit my own artwork. It was then that I began the arduous task of finding gallery representation and competent art dealers. Several exhibitions later, I was not really happy with the way galleries treated me. I also had a few bad experiences, including losing my work to galleries that closed and my artwork being sold without me being paid.
Then I decided to pursue my own venue to showcase my work. I spoke to an investor and my life dream began to be realized. I secured a small show room gallery in the Miami Design District with an ongoing solo exhibition of my own work; that was in 2002 – it was a fantastic year and a great learning experience. I sold many works and met very interesting artists. From that, I thought “every emerging artist should have this opportunity.â€
· What made you decide to open a gallery in Miami?
In 2003 a large space three doors down from my studio became available. It was perfect: close enough to manage but still separate so as to not have any conflict of interest. Art Fusion Galleries came into existence in the Miami Design District and is the largest art gallery in that area. With a 4,000 sq. ft. gallery space, we exhibit 32 artists during each of the four exhibitions per year, each for three months.
· Do you have a specific artistic vision or style for your gallery?
We only represent emerging to mid-career artists. The work is all contemporary, with nothing too traditional. Our prices start as low as $200.00 and go as high as $5,000.00. We sell all original works: no prints, giclees, or reproductions of any kind.
· Who is your favorite artist ever? Who is your favorite current Miami artist?
I have many favorite artists. It would be unfair to mention only one, and every day I learn or meet a new artist. He or she can be my favorite at that time. Every work of art has something I love. I think it is because I see beyond the colors on the canvas and the subject matter; I realize that every original work of art is a moment in time of the artist and that moment can never be recreated.
· What are your goals for the gallery?
Our goal is to have an Art Fusion Gallery in every major city in the world so that we can promote our artists and show their works throughout the globe.
· Have you seen any effects of the economic downturn this past year?
The current economy has not been a negative factor for Art Fusion Galleries. I guess there are many reasons, probably too many to mention, however some very important ones should be listed. Our price point is accessible; if you have a job and a credit card you can by an original work of art from us. We have many artists to choose from all with different techniques and styles. Most of our artist will do commission works. We also service our clients with extras like delivery and installation, framing, consulting and we have a great reputation.
· Do you show at any art fairs, either locally or in other cities? If so, how have those experiences gone for you?
We have not participated in any fairs as the gallery keeps us quite busy. We do work closely with galleries in New York City (Chelsea) and Milan and are now starting to work with galleries in Spain and France.
· What would you say is the one most important idea for an artist to know when it comes to getting recognized by a gallery?
Keep the passion in your art…….Listen to your client……..Be true to your art……Stay humble!
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