Beyond The Gallery Walls

An A-frame cabin in the snowy backcountry woods of Utah does not seem the likeliest place to find a select gathering of art collectors.

- Anne Wallentine

This winter, however, found an enthusiastic group of collectors gathered in the backcountry studio of artist Bridgette Meinhold, whose encaustic works of snowy mountains mirror the woods that surround her home.

Maren Mullen, owner of Gallery MAR in Park City, Utah, is part of a vanguard of galleries that are changing their approach to the relationships between collectors and the art they acquire. Moving beyond the traditional private view, Mullen is creating a series of “immersive art experiences” for her collectors. Mullen invites small groups to participate in artist-led events, offering collectors a personal experience of art in the context in which it is made.

“I believe it enriches the collector experience,” Mullen says. “It’s beneficial for both [groups],” as “it allows the artists to tell their stories…and o‚ ers collectors a unique glimpse into artists’ practices. They get a feel for what it’s like to be in the studio or out in the forest for inspiration.” Consequently, she says, “collectors feel more connected to the artist and the pieces.”

In the first event of the series, which began earlier this year, guests rode on a Sno-Cat to see Meinhold demonstrate her technique of layered encaustic painting. They were then invited to another nearby cabin for wine, fondue and discussion of the art in the landscape that had inspired it.

“For me, the outdoors is essential to the creation of the art,” says Meinhold. She appreciates the chance to show collectors what that process is like, and they, in turn, are able to deepen their understanding of the artwork they own.