Reprinted from ART WORLD NEWS - DECEMBER, 2021
As 2021 comes to a close, as a Gallerist I reflect back over the two past years and I am quite pleased. Not only was 2021 a record year for Key West Gallery in terms of sales of fine art, but we were also so very fortunate to bring back our Live Artist Appearances to resounding success and strong attendance at each and every one of our events. We realize how important it is to create immersive and exciting in-gallery experiences for patrons: and ones in which our guests were so pleased to interact with our Artists. We developed Art Experiences that transcended a traditional gallery model: Pairing on the water events, VIP Studio Visits with our coterie of renowned and celebrity Artists such as Bill Mack and Wine Dinners featuring the extraordinary Thomas Arvid. These type of VIP and Collector events not only engaged our loyal customers, yet also served to procure and build new Collectors. Our 2020 pivot to a global digital model: digital events and digital sales served my art business well: and revenue was quite strong throughout the Pandemic. We were fortunate that Florida did not literally shut down: and we both maintained and strengthened our reputation for offering the very finest in artwork via in-home private showings, as well as offering virtual tours of exhibits and I am delighted to report that my gallery now sells globally: the emerging trend for a successful business model from 2020 and beyond.
We have partnered with the Florida Keys Council of the arts: https://keysarts.com/ , as we believe that Key West Gallery has a responsibility to enhance the artistic and cultural capital of the city: both for the residents of Key West and its thousands of daily visitors. I employ a comprehensive strategic marketing, advertising and public relations strategy, as is crucial to defining a top-notch Gallery. I employ a full-time Marketing strategist, as well as a leading art-centric PR Firm. This has allowed us to become the premier destination for Fine Art in Key West and very southern Florida. It is also important to note that our location on Duval Street is key to our exposure factor.
I have no doubt that 2022 and 2023 will be very strong years as well, and we have recognized early on in 2020 and capitalized on the trend and desire by all people everywhere in the world to make the environments in which they live and work beautiful and reflective of their varying tastes.
Kellie Alpert
Principal & Gallerist
Key West Gallery