How to Give Art as a Gift December 08 2024, 0 Comments
By Kimberly Nicoletti
With the holiday season upon us, many people are looking for the perfect gift for loved ones. But one of the places they don’t often think to look are galleries.
Art makes the perfect gift because it’s so unique.
“It’s one of a kind,” Brian says. “Everybody’s unique, and art is unique. It carries so much more meaning — it speaks to the recipient on an individual level.”
Because it’s a one-of-a-kind gift, it stands out in memories. (Pop quiz: Name the gifts you got eight years ago. If you can’t, that’s pretty normal. But, if it happened to be a painting or sculpture, chances are you not only remember it, but also still enjoy it every day.)
I never received art, but I remember a unique gift: On my 21st birthday, my aunt bought me three shares of Walt Disney stock. The stock, worth maybe $20 at the time, might have slipped my mind — or if online trading had existed, when it doubled, I may have traded it for a new sweater. But in those days, it came with an artistically printed, colorful stock certificate, which I treasured for its sheer beauty. Sadly, I had to mail in the certificate to exchange it for a couple hundred dollars many years later; it’d almost be worth still having that vintage piece of artwork.
Unlike that certificate, art holds a legacy; it has longevity; it’s passed down through generations, rather than getting replaced. As Brian points out: It’s not your typical commodity.
While most people think of art as being reserved solely for adults who can “truly appreciate it,” there’s a whole lot of value to gifting art to children. Ross and Brian grew up visiting galleries and museums, and they still have cherished memories of hand-made, carved, wooden sports figures their parents bought them.
“You literally give somebody an artistic upbringing,” Brian says about giving kids art.
If you want to buy a painting or sculpture for your kids or grandkids, a great place to start is considering what sports they like. If they love skiing, biking, hockey, figure skating, golf or water sports, the bold, energetic, contemporary art of 2Wild will probably speak to them. If they love horses, one of Alex Alvis’ long-legged sculptures standing on their dresser or nightstand is a beautiful way to begin and end the day. And, just about any dog-lover, be it a toddler or great-grandparent, beams with joy upon seeing Marty Goldstein’s playful pup bronzes.
2 Wild Miniature Series Skiers
“They all go nuts for the dog sculptures,” Brian says about kids who come into the gallery. “They’re fun and playful and meant to be touched.”
Marty Goldstein - Little Charlie
If you’re looking for the perfect piece of art for a special adult in your life, you can apply similar principals, whether they love sports, nature, animals, abstracts, glass or other topics or styles.
Whether you’re searching for art for kids or adults, remember: It doesn’t have to cost a lot. The majority of Houston Llew’s Spiritiles cost $199. And, he’s made so many of them, you’re sure to find the right image and quote to suit anyone, from a coworker to a kid. They’re both inspiring and beautiful, and, measuring just 8 ½ x 5 ¼ x 1 ¾, they don’t require a lot of wall or table space. Their artistic value lies in finely-ground glass, hand-painted on copper and fired by kiln.
“Spiritiles are our go-to for gift giving for everything and everybody — it’s so easy to find the right quote and image,” Brian says.
Field of Dreams - Houston Llew Spiritiles
You can also work with a trusted consultant to find the perfect gift (as well as art for your own collection). They love building relationships by learning about each client’s interests and truly understanding their personality, so that they can point art lovers in the right direction, reach out when new pieces come in and, overall, provide a customized experience.
The last piece of advice in giving art as a gift is simple: Don’t overthink it; just do it. You can always exchange your piece within 30 days if it’s not perfect for your recipient.
“At the end of the day, all we care about is that people are happy — both the gift-giver and the recipient,” Brian says.
Here’s to happy — and artistically inspiring — holidays!