More Bang for Your Buck: Painting Collections

(WSVN) -- This is the way not to start an art collection...

At the Munch Museum in Norway, two armed robbers stole two famous paintings "the scream" and "the madonna"...And got away with it..but for art connoisseur Marty Margulious, a safer route is preferred.

Marty Margulious: "I really didn't choose it. It choose me. In an essence I started collecting prints. That was an area that was affordable."

From prints, his creative collection grew over a quarter of a century to include photos, painting, even sculptors.

Marty: "It's a very comprehensive collection and very ecletic as well. It covers a lot of the movements. So you have abstraction, conceptual, minimalism, pop."

But if you're just starting, Bonnie Clearwater of the MOCA Says South Florida is really happening when it comes to modern art.

Bonnie: "I think this is a very exciting time to be collecting in Miami. Some of the most interesting and exciting artists are coming out of Miami right now."

Also when you're looking for art, shop with an open mind.

Thanks to modern technology, we now have masterpieces never imagnied before.

Bonnie: "I'd say right now there is a lot of interest in new media."

But new media can be expensive, so if you're buying on a budget, look for prints, photographs and drawings.

Bonnie: "I noticed there was a move to works on paper. Very intimate drawings. Fugitive drawings."

Plus you can can add value if the art work is of a limited number.

Bonnie: "When you are getting a limited number, you don't want to get an addition of no more than 25 or 50, so it does keep it rare."

Or try to save by investing in an aspiring artist. At the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, the gallery is packed with original works from students and instructors.

Arlene: "You never know when you walk in here if it's already an established artist in the community or if it's a student who is a budding artist what you might find for your collection."

For marty, the best feeling of all is sharing his collection with other art lovers. He'll be opening his gallery, the margulious collection at the warehouse in just a matter of days.

Marty: "At the end of the day, you have to love what you buy. You have to see the work when the lights are out."

Another way to assess the value of a work of art is to go to art auctions. At many auction houses, you'll be able to see the creations of young artists as well as more established artists.

Contact: lmartinez@wsvn.com

MOCA - Museum Of Contemporary Art
770 NE 125Th Street
North Miami, FL
305 893-6211
www.Mocanomi.Org

MOCA Shakers - Young Proffesionals membership:

$150 - Per Person
$250 - Per Couple

The Margulies Collection at The Warehouse
591 NW 27th Street
Miami, FL 33137
305 576-1051
mcollection@bellsouth.Net

Grand Opening:
Friday, October 1St

HOURS:

Friday And Saturday
11 am - 4 pm

Sunday
12 pm - 4 pm

Free Of Charge

Art Institute Of Fort Lauderdale
1650 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale
1 800 275-7603