James Gallery Aims to Make Art More Accessible

The West End gallery takes the intimidation factor out of art selection with its new Preferred Designer Program.

james Gallery's collection includes Highland Pond I by artist Susan Morosky 
 

Through its concierge service, James Gallery on the West End has long advocated for art that fits its clients’ projects — and their lives.

“We have much more to offer that what’s hanging on the walls of the gallery,” says Donna Baran, the gallery’s director of marketing and business development. “We might just sit and talk and listen and learn, and then pull art that is in response to what we find out from our clients.”

The gallery, which serves residential and commercial clients, now is set to take that service a step further with its new Preferred Designer Program. Offered to professional designers, the program’s goal is to offer education about art and to make the selection of it more accessible — as well as fun.

Baran says the program — derived from the staff’s desire to engage with the community — offers designers a rewards incentive where they can earn benefits that include exclusive access to gallery events, plus previews of new art and artists. Designers also will have access to the gallery’s carefully curated art sources.  

“We offer not only fine art, but artists that we’ve vetted after being in business for over 40 years, and we’re always looking for new art,” Baran says.

Some of the other program highlights include preferred to-the-trade promotions and art consultations online, in a client's home or at the gallery. James Gallery also offers framing services that include pickup, delivery and installation.

Designers also will be invited to sit around and talk about art with various art education and roundtable discussions on industry trends. The program is set to roll out this summer.