Buying Artwork | Part III: Gallery. Featuring an interview with Kiersten Wilcox of KW Contemporary Art (Kennebunkport, Maine)
Kiersten Wilcox runs KW Contemporary Art, a gallery in Kennebunkport, Maine. She holds a B.A. in art history from Bucknell University and an M.A. in arts administration from SCAD. After nearly a decade working as an art consultant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she moved to Kennebunkport in 2019 and opened a gorgeous gallery in what is arguably the most adorable town in the United States. Today she sat down with me to chat about how she helps clients source the perfect artwork for their space and what matters most when you are shopping for art.
(For those who are following along, this post is part 3 in my “Buying Artwork” series, following part 2: commissions and part 1: auctions. Drop me a line if you’ve been enjoying the series or have a topic you’d like me to address in a future post.)
CLG: Hi, Kiersten! Thank you for “sitting” down with me today. I’m so excited to have you and learn more about how you decided to open a gallery. To begin, could you tell us a little bit about what attracted you to art initially and your favorite part of running a gallery?
Wilcox: I’ve loved art for really my entire life. Growing up just outside of New York City I was constantly going in to see exhibitions at museums and galleries. I was always drawing, painting, and creating and when an art history elective started at my high school I jumped at the chance to combine two things I loved, history and art. After that class it was really a foregone conclusion I would do something in that field.
I think my favorite part is the moment when I see a client connect with a piece. You can truly see exactly when they find the one for them. It never gets old and it is so gratifying, especially if the client wasn’t sure what they were looking for.
CLG: How often do you work with interior designers? What is the most helpful thing an interior designer or client can provide to help you source the best artwork for their space?
Wilcox: I work designers and art consultants quite frequently. I have a wonderful group that I often collaborate with but am always meeting exciting new people.
Wall dimensions! I joke a bit. The nitty gritty details like the size of the space help so that I can make sure I am showing the right size work but overall knowing the story you are trying to tell with a space is most important. Are you looking for drama, calm serenity, fun and whimsical? It isn’t about the style of the room exactly, since you can mix in more contemporary work in a more traditional space. A client might be going for a coastal home but want some drama in the art. It’s all about finding the story the clients or designer want to tell with the space and how the art can make that happen.
CLG: Much like the design industry, the art world––and particularly the contemporary art world––has transformed significantly over the past five years. What are some services you offer today that we wouldn’t have seen in the past
Wilcox: I offer a number of online and remote services for clients including virtual mockups, facetime visits to the gallery and artist studios, and more. I try to help my clients, many of whom live in other states or countries, feel as close as possible to the art. At the end of the day I am always open to new ideas and avenues in order to make the art buying experience as easy as possible.
CLG: CLG offers design and art consulting services. One thing I have noticed in my work is that as particular as my clients might feel about a piece of furniture, they are twenty times more particular about the artwork. What advice would you give someone who is looking to add a new piece to their collection?
Wilcox: Be open to new. We all get very used to what we like, the many black sweaters I own can attest to this, and it can be hard to break out of what is comfortable. But I always suggest that people be open to looking at work that they wouldn’t normally consider.
When you are open to ideas, you can find some great treasures.
But I always tell people at the end of the day you need to love it and be able to live with it. I might think it looks amazing, but if you don’t love it then no matter how much you convince yourself, it isn’t the right fit. Just don’t cut yourself off from new ideas too soon.
CLG: You and I have spoken about making the art buying process more enjoyable and welcoming. The snooty gallery days are over! How have you made the art buying process more approachable?
Wilcox: Well for one I say hi to everyone who walks through my door. It doesn’t matter to me if you are a highschool student or a blue chip collector. I truly believe art is for everyone and we should encourage people to see these works.
Even if someone isn’t acquiring a piece I want them to come away feeling like they learned
something and were respected while in my gallery.
Aside from just being nice I also have done a lot of work to make buying from the gallery as easy as possible. This ranges from having a shoppable website, listing works on Artsy, and partnering with platforms like Art Money. All of these make it so that collectors can easily find and buy work that they love.
CLG: I’m a big fan of stripes, the content of which is featured in your most recent exhibition of Matthew Langley’s work. Could you tell us a bit more about Langley’s process and the reason why he features stripes?
Wilcox: Langley uses acrylic paint to create his beautiful color fields. His color field paintings are characterized by large, flat areas of color that blend and interact with one another, creating engaging compositions that explore the relationship between color and space. His paintings often feature bold colors and geometric shapes, with overlapping layers creating a sense of depth and movement. Langley's paintings feature his strong interest in the forms of Modernism expressed through the investigation of color and mark-making. They are a continuation of the ongoing journey in abstract art to look at the color and form and the emotions they elicit.
A few examples of Matthew Langley’s works that are currently on view at KW Contemporary Art through October 3, 2023 and online at kwcontemporaryart.com
CLG: What’s coming down the pike for KW Contemporary?
Wilcox: We have an exciting fall and winter coming up with two group shows, Falling and All That Glitters. I’m excited for both exhibitions which will feature new works from several of our artists including Yangyang Pan, Hunt Slonem, Christine Tonolini, and many more. They will also mark the premiere of work from our newest artists Topher Strauss and Maria Laura Ribeiro.
CLG: It’s been amazing learning more about you and your gallery! Thank you so much for taking the time.
Wilcox: Thank you, it was wonderful chatting!