American Art Collector

Welcome to the January issue of American Art Collector and Happy New Year! We are kicking off this year with our Art Lover’s Guide to Collecting Fine Art in Arizona. This destination guide is close to home as our world headquarters are here in Scottsdale. The Grand Canyon State is brimming with contemporary realism this month. You will find the proof beginning on Page 59 in the many gallery and art show previews we have for you. While everyone else is hunkering down for winter, Arizona might as well have a sign that says, “Come for the art. Stay for the weather.” And you should. We have an in-depth guide for you that will help you plan your stay in Arizona. Our founder, Vincent Miller, chose Arizona for our headquarters…

So often when it comes to fine art, our focus is on the finished piece—its beauty, its visual or emotional impact, its message, its narrative, even its value. But sometimes there is an equal amount of beauty in the creative process—how an artist coaxes an idea from its nascent beginnings into full physical expression; and the painstaking steps and unwavering resolve required to reach the destination of completion. It is through process, unique to every artist, that we learn what really makes them tick. The methods of two artists in the January issue intrigued me as much as their finished works. The first is Cynthia Daignault, who spent six months driving the entire perimeter of the United States, stopping to paint or photograph the view every 27 miles. Back in…

Through January 1 Nature’s Voice Lily Pad Gallery West Milwaukee, WI • (414) 509-5756 www.lilypadgallery.com January 1-31 Kurt Solmssen George Billis Gallery New York, NY • (917) 273-8621 www.georgebillis.com Through January 3 Annual Holiday Show Susan Powell Fine Art Madison, CT • (203) 318-0616 www.susanpowellfineart.com Through January 4 Birds in Art Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Wausau, WI • (715) 845-7010 www.lywam.org Through January 4 Funny Business: Photography and Humor Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix, AZ • (602) 257-1880 www.phxart.org Through January 5 Small Works Invitational Principle Gallery Alexandra, VA • (703) 739-9326 www.principlegallery.com January 6-17 Geoffrey Gersten: Retro Reverie Altamira Fine Art Scottsdale, AZ • (480) 949-1256 www.altamiraart.com January 7-11, 2026 LA Art Show LA Convention Center » Los Angeles, CA www.laartshow.com January 6-30 149th Annual Black and White Exhibition Salmagundi Club New…

Roger Rossi joined the Salmagundi Club in 2007 and quickly became an integral part of its artistic community. Soon after becoming a member, he joined the Art Committee and founded the Auction Help Team, going on to serve four years on the board. With his dedication extended to the Admissions and Collections/Archives Committees, and as Chairman of Auctions, Rossi broadened the club’s presence through expanded social media initiatives, now serving as a key pillar of the club’s public relations efforts. The Salmagundi Club recently honored Rossi with its Legacy Award, for his ongoing engagement, outreach and dedication that exemplify the spirit of Salmagundi. During his time with the club, Rossi also revitalized its plein air program, now known as “Salmagundians and Their Friends,” which has grown to four active chapters,…

Founded by filmmaker George Lucas, the brand new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open to the public on September 22, 2026. Housed in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, the Lucas Museum seeks to explore how stories connect people and capture the human experience. “Stories are mythology, and when illustrated, they help humans understand the mysteries of life,” says Lucas. The museum was built on the belief that illustrated storytelling is a universal language. “This is a museum of the people’s art—the images are illustrations of beliefs we live with every day. For that reason, this art belongs to everyone,” says co-founder Mellody Hobson. “Our hope is that as people move through the galleries, they will see themselves, and their humanity, reflected back.” The Lucas Museum’s permanent collection holds more than…

Making Moves: A Collection of Feminisms illustrates the breadth of materials and approaches artists have employed to represent women’s experiences. Ranging from figurative depictions to more abstract expressions, the exhibition examines the evolving complexities of femininity and feminism that have inspired generations of visual artists. Organized thematically, Making Moves explores ideas of self-representation, care, sentimentality, the erotic and memory. The artworks featured are drawn from the Crocker’s permanent collection, alongside generous loans and gifts from private collections. And for the first time at the Crocker, Frida Kahlo’s work will be on view. The iconic 1947 painting Self-Portrait with Loose Hair, on loan from a private collection, affirms Kahlo’s cultural identity in the years following the Mexican Revolution and stands as a powerful expression of feminine strength and self-definition. The exhibition…