Whether you are an art collector or a painter yourself, you understand the struggle of finding ways of displaying or storing your pieces. Taking the time to arrange and rearrange with limited wall space can be frustrating. If you are moving soon, now is the best time to work on downsizing the number of art pieces in your collection.
1. Reach Out to an Art Buyer
Art buyers are individuals who are responsible for buying art. They can work in museums, galleries, or corporations. They are often hired by individuals needing to get rid of some pieces from their private collections. If you have inherited art or have more than you need, an art buyer could help you liquidate. A benefit of selling to an art buyer is that they have knowledge of art and can offer you a fair price.
2. Have a Private Sale
Selling privately is another way to downsize your art collection when you are planning to move. This is a good option because you will not have to worry about paying any dealer’s fees. There are many ways to sell privately. If you want to sell online, consider sites like Ebay.com and Etsy.com. You can also list your paintings for sale on social media and art-related sites.
3. Sell to an Auction House
There are many benefits of selling your unwanted artwork to an auction house. The fees are often lower compared to many dealers and galleries. The results of each sale are published and everyone knows and sees what pieces are selling for, so there is a lot of transparency.
Another benefit is that auctions are competitive. This can result in bidding wars where your art may sell for more than you anticipated. Auctions also have a specific sale date. This is good for those needing their pieces gone quickly. Private sales can take indeterminate amounts of time to finish.
4. Sell to a Gallery
A gallery is similar to an auction house. They will sell your art for you and get paid a commission for the sale. Art galleries will take care of the marketing and promotion of your pieces. They work as a broker to connect your artwork with their network of collectors and contacts. Before you start working with a specific gallery, make sure that it is a good fit for your art pieces. Some galleries will charge a fee to have your pieces up for sale.
5. Create a Website
If you have a little extra time before your move, consider placing all of the artwork you want to get rid of on a website. There are many free and easy ways to build a simple website to display what you have available. Once you have the site up and running, you can promote it on different forums, blogs, and other art-related sites.
The process of selling your art collection can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing. It is important to consider the various options available to maximize the financial return on your investment. There are many factors to take into account, such as finding the right buyer and getting the best possible price.
