I see art almost every day in all sorts of unexpected places, and invite you to make time to train your eye, and get to know what you like. It doesn’t have to take time to look at art, but likely you will be more excited about your purchases the more you know and see. Art fairs, where many galleries rent booths for a weekend all under one large roof, can be an excellent place to see a lot of art in a short amount of time and space. There are art fairs in NY that have a very high price point like the Armory, ADAA and Frieze, where it’s exciting to get a sense of the current international market trends, and then there are smaller more niche fairs that have works by a lower price point, like NADA, the Independent, the Outsider Art Fair, which shows more “emerging” artists and galleries. Ask questions, take notes, get on mailing lists for these fairs and the galleries that show there. If you are lucky to meet artists and be invited to their studios: Go!

Or go to Open Studios in Dumbo, Bushwick, Greenpoint or pretty much any other neighborhood and that way you can meet with and potentially buy work from the artist directly. Being in an artist’s studio is a special opportunity to understand why the artist is compelled to make the work they do and definitely be respectful of their space and time.

Other places to look for art you might like: local prizes like the Artadia grants we give in seven US cities single out talented artists that are pre-vetted for you. Similarly, smaller non -profit art spaces, like White Columns and Dumbo-based Art In General, have a commitment to local artists which means you will be supporting your community if you make a purchase. Becoming a member of any smaller cutting edge organization is a great way to learn about the artists in your community. DUMBO has a great group of galleries right near the water– check out their new shows every 6 weeks (on average).