First Collection: An Intro to Art Collecting
Good taste is subjective & great art is always original.
Friday night fun…
You’ve figured out your style. You know all the coolest restaurants, the designers, where to find vintage treasures in every town, the places worth discovering before everyone else. So why should art be any different? You know what you like and don’t like…even if that one piece of art makes you feel both things at once!
First Collection by Juniper Rag is your invitation to step inside the world of original art collecting—without the intimidating price tags, insider language or feeling that you need an art history degree to belong. That is not the case here. We want you to explore all the ways living with art can enrich your life and fill your head with dopamine on the regular. Collecting art is such a cool experience, we want to empower potential collectors by giving them with insight.
Make it a night out with friends. Meet us at Juniper Rag Contemporary in Worcester. Discover original work by exceptional local and regional artists, hear the stories behind the pieces, and learn how to choose art that speaks to you, fits your space and most of all—means something to you long after the moment you bought it.
We’ll talk about what gives original art value, how to start building a collection, what to look for when buying, and how to live with art in a way that reflects who you are. You might find a painting for your first apartment, a piece that transforms your home or even an artist whose work you’ll follow for years to come. People do!
This is all about you and—-it is totally OK! There are no rules about what you should like. There is absolutely no pressure to buy, ever, but to learn, view some really great art and learn what collectors and curators see.
Collecting art is 100% not reserved for people with inherited collections or houses full of masterpieces. It starts with wanting your home to reflect your personality, to show your curiosity, point of view or the willingness to bring something original, made by someone in your community into your world. THAT is pretty damn cool for every artist that makes art. Another human wants to live with something you made. Wow!
Come curious. Leave inspired. Maybe low-key start a collection.
First Collection. An introduction to original art, the artists who make it, and the pleasure of owning something that is entirely your own, uniquely made by another human’s imagination and hands.
This is a deliberate entry point for all folks who love art but feel they like they just don’t know enough to begin.
We have created a workshop that is a thoughtful introduction to collecting original work for your home or office.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
This is a salon style session. We will provide a couple bottles of vino and a cheesy nosh. Feel free to bring a bottle or bev of your choice.
This is a chill conversation, not a lecture style.
Introductions & background, peruse the gallery, taking note of what speaks to you
Learn to look and to find your taste—may be shocking
Art prices, costs and value—demystify pricing
Learn about artists behind the work
Living with art & exploring your actual artwork criteria for in your space
Feature artist stories and why their work matters to us and the greater community
A free 15 minute consultation to be scheduled post.
We will be viewing our exhibition, entitled “Collector's Edit”, where we will showcase a number of works to inform you of what we look for when purchasing work. Our #1 must have on the list may surprise you!
We want to empower new collectors as they begin to start their independent lives, purchase their first home, or simply, the art lover still in high school who falls in love with a painting of waterlillies by an artists we feature from Boston who loves the outdoors.
You will never forget buying your first few pieces of art, or any one after. It is such a meaningful experience that we want to share with everyone. It is an intimate experience when you fall in love with a piece, make the decision to purchase it and hang it on your wall. No matter the details, it is always your first. Yeah, like that.
Each participant will leave with a complimentary work on paper to kick off their art collection!
The picking order of the art will be by the order you register. (1st in gets 1st choice)
Location: Juniper Rag Contemporary, Studio 201, The Crompton Building 138 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604
A guided conversation about being an empowered first time collector. A unique way to spend an evening out with friends while learning about art.