Cruising Toward Spring

Welcome to the April issue of American Art Collector! As I write this at the very end of February, Boston is still covered in 30 inches of snow and even Central Park has turned into a winter playground. Yet, we know what follows: longer days, brighter skies and the unmistakable momentum of spring. For collectors, that seasonal shift brings renewed energy, fresh perspectives and wonderful new opportunities to acquire exceptional works. We bring you new discoveries in this issue. Beginning on Page 92, our Collector’s Focus on Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes captures the serenity and movement of water in all its forms. These works invite calm, reflection and a sense of place within your home. Few subjects balance tranquility and power quite like water.

Contemporary realism continues to thrive across the country, and this month we spotlight Texas. Our Art Lover’s Guide to Texas (Page 98) highlights galleries and artists shaping the Lone Star State’s vibrant market. April is an ideal time to visit. Begin relationships with these galleries, study the artists they represent and help them understand the type of work you are building your collection around. The most successful collectors know that strong relationships are as important as strong acquisitions.

Our nationwide gallery shows lead the issue with more than eight previews. These shows represent the diversity and vitality of today’s contemporary market, from luminous landscapes to striking glass art and atmospheric cloud studies. At its core, this magazine is designed to do two things: present exceptional works available for acquisition and educate you as a collector. If you want to go deeper into the stories behind today’s leading realist artists, I encourage you to explore our podcast channel, the American Art Collective, where more than 370 guests, many of them artists, share their careers, influences and insights across every genre. You can find it on Spotify, Audible and Apple Podcasts.

The art market is ultimately about people: the artists who create, the gallerists who champion, and the collectors who preserve and support. This month, managing editor Sarah Gianelli shares her experience in Charleston, a city energized by a growing and dynamic arts community. You can read her editor’s letter on the next page. These stories remind us that collecting is not just transactional—it is participatory. We are all connected by our love of art and spring is a beautiful time to deepen that connection.

Enjoy the April issue!

Wendie Martin and Adolfo Castillo
Publishers