The Californian Art Market Today

The California art market can’t be defined with a single narrative. It is shaped by dealers, collectors, and auction houses.

While this is an exciting time for the Californian art market, with more art fairs, galleries and museums than ever before, for any given artist, the market is in flux. Some CA artists command great sums of money, while others are still undervalued. In session with Holly Sherratt of Heritage Auction House, we'll explore how the Californian art market is shaped by dealers, collectors and auction houses.

How Dealers Shape the Californian Art Market

Art dealers play a crucial role in the art market. They are the ones who discover new artists and bring their work to galleries. They also help to set prices for the work and promote it to potential buyers. Because of this, dealers have a lot of power when it comes to shaping the market. However, it's important to note that not all dealers are created equal. Some have more experience than others, and some have better connections to potential buyers. As a result, some dealers are able to command higher prices for their artists' work than others.

How Art Collectors Shape the Californian Art Market

Collectors are also important players in the Califonian art market. They are the ones who actually purchase the artwork and take it home. Because they are the ones spending money on art, they have a lot of power when it comes to shaping the market. However, not all collectors are created equal either. Some have more money than others, and some are more knowledgeable about art. As a result, some collectors are able to pay more for artwork than others.

How Auction Houses Shape the Californian Art Market

Auction houses also play a role in shaping the Californian art market. They provide a place for buyers and sellers to come together and transact. They also help to set prices for artwork by holding auctions and publishing auction results.  That said, auction houses only shape the market for certain types of artwork. In order for an artwork to be sold at an auction house, it must meet certain criteria. As a result, auction houses only shape the market for a very small percentage of all artwork that is created.

Join Holly Sherratt of Heritage Auction House

The Californian art market is shaped by many different players, each with their own agendas. Dealers want to sell their artists' work for as much money as possible; collectors want to buy artwork that they think is valuable; and auction houses want to sell artwork that will generate a lot of excitement . At the end of the day, it is really up to the collector to decide what an artwork is worth.

Holly Sherratt, a well-regarded Modern and Contemporary Art specialist with Heritage Auction House, looks at some key California artists and discusses the impact of individuals and institutions on their markets. She also notes how the market is different for galleries and auction houses. Attendees will learn:

• How the Californian art market is shaped by dealers, collectors, and auction houses
• About primary vs. secondary markets
• About auction estimates vs. gallery prices

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Speakers

Holly Sherratt

Holly Sherratt has more than 20 years of fine art experience and has worked in the auction industry for more than a decade. As a well-regarded Modern and Contemporary Art specialist, she has directed the sales of hundreds of important collections around the world. She was the founding Director of Made in California Art at a major auction house and was instrumental in establishing world record...

Meet the Expert