250 Issues: One Mission

Letter from the Publishers

Welcome to the August issue of American Art Collector! This year seems to be flying by, and I wanted to pause and celebrate a milestone that means a great deal to all of us here at American Art Collector. This is our 250th issue! When we published the first issue in October 2005, we entered the marketplace with an idea that would change art collecting. Our market disruption was simple yet revolutionary: previewing gallery shows before they opened, rather than after the fact, which was then the norm. This gave collectors time to plan their travels to meet the artists, visit galleries and see the shows in person. Most importantly, it gave collectors a leg up when it came to acquiring works while they were still available. This 21-year-old philosophy remains central to every issue we publish. It is something you will ses in our Gallery Show Previews, which start on Page 49.

The foundation for this innovative approach began with our flagship publication, International Artist, which debuted in June 1998 and is entering its 29th year. Originally created by artists for artists, the magazine gave us a deep understanding of the creative process and the relationship between artists, galleries and collectors. Those seven years of learning led to the establishment of American Art Collector, a publication dedicated entirely to helping collectors build meaningful collections.

In this milestone issue, we’re proud to introduce a brand-new Collector’s Focus dedicated to impressionism, beginning on Page 98. Filled with outstanding contemporary impressionist paintings, this feature celebrates one of the most enduring and beloved styles on the market. August is also our annual Art of the Portrait issue, featuring our 18th annual Portrait Artist Directory. If you’ve ever considered commissioning a portrait of yourself or a loved one, this is the issue to keep. The directory is also available year-round on our website as a trusted collector resource.

Thank you to every collector, artist and gallery that has been part of our journey. Here’s to the next 250 issues!

Best Regards,
Wendie Martin and Adolfo Castillo
Publishers