Fine Art Dealer Rachel Davis Speaks at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve This Saturday

With over three decades of experience as a fine art dealer, Rachel Davis has seen it all. At 1 p.m. this Saturday, Mar. 28, she will share her personal stories and professional experience during a free discussion at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR), as part of the Archives’ ongoing Collecting Art lecture series.

Just a few weeks ago, auctioneer and PBS celebrity Wes Cowan discussed his role in the art market as an antiques auctioneer based in Cincinnati.

'Wes Cowan very succinctly covered the topic of the state of the art market for us in his talk at the AAWR , as well as covering what's hot and what's not nationally in art auctions right now,” says AAWR Executive Director Mindy Tousley. “He seems to be interested in only selling specific kinds of art in his auctions, Rachel on the other hand has dealt for years in regional art, and the art acquired by local collectors. The work she handles is generally more eclectic. Many of the people who will attend this talk at the Archives already know her and so I think this will be a smaller, more intimate gathering where people will feel relaxed and free to ask all kinds of questions."

Rachel Davis Fine Arts (RDFA) was founded in Cleveland in 1987 and opened its first commercial gallery in 1992. Later that year, Davis began auctioning works on paper. In 1996, RDFA added auctions of paintings, and later that year, rare and out-of-print books. By 2001, RDFA was a full service auction house with the addition of furniture, jewelry and decorative arts.

“Rachel prefers to just answer people’s questions rather than give a formal talk,” explains Tousley. “Hence the conversational interactive format for this particular program, rather than lecture format that we used in the past. I hope a relaxed atmosphere will encourage people to not be shy in getting the information that they came for from Rachel."
Davis received a B.A. in Art History and Chemistry from the University of Delaware, and an M.B.A. from Indiana University. From 1980 to 1982, she worked as a Painting Conservation Assistant at Winterhur Museum. From 1983 to 1991, she was the Director of Fine Arts at WOLF’s, managing sales totaling $4 million per year, as well as the documentation and authentication of antiques and fine art.

This event is free and open to the public. Register online or by calling the Archives.

Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 E. 123rd St., 216-721-9020, artistsarchives.org