Demystifying Art Collecting

If your goal is to become a knowledgeable and confident collector, you’ll have to master a few skills and understand your options.

Art collecting is about creating a meaningful collection based on your personal needs, interests and resources. Depending on what you're looking for in a piece of art, your budget and the type of art you're interested in, the process can vary. However, the basics remain the same- buy what you like and what speaks to you.

With the help of an advisor, you can learn about the different artists and styles that interest you and narrow down your choices based on your budget. Art collectors typically have a more expansive budget, but that doesn't mean they don't put thought into their purchases. A collector will often build their collection around a certain theme or artist, and they are usually more interested in purchasing rare or one-of-a-kind pieces. No matter what kind of art you're interested in, collecting should be enjoyable. So take your time, do your research and most importantly, buy what you love.

Panel Discussion: David Angelo, Devan Patel and Stephen Smart

Collecting can be a daunting task - where do you even start? But have no fear, our panelists are here to help you collect art. David Angelo, a seasoned collector, Devan Patel, Co-Owner and Director at Patel Brown Gallery and Stephen Smart, an art advisor and curator, help you in demystifying art collecting.

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Speakers

David Angelo

David Angelo has been collecting for over 30 years and has no desire to stop. He collects everything from photographs to paintings to mixed media, baseballs, oddities and sculptures. He only collects what his eyes and soul enjoy and help him express both life’s beauty and dark humour. Art has given David a vehicle to express what he doesn’t have the vocabulary for. Art collecting has...

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Devan Patel

Devan Patel is a Canadian contemporary art dealer and consultant. He is the Director, and an owner of Project Gallery and Studios, which has two locations in the east end of Toronto and focuses on local emerging talent. Patel has also worked for established art galleries like Division Gallery and Arsenal Contemporary, as well as Struck Contemporary. He is on the advisory committee for East End...

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Stephen Smart

Stephen Smart worked for 30 years as a family and aboriginal affairs lawyer at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt law firm in Toronto. During that time he took on the responsibility of overseeing his firm’s art collection, which is now one of the most revered corporate collections of contemporary Canadian art in the country.
He retired from law eight years ago and since then has started a...

Meet the Expert