Living Through Art: Our Story
Why We Choose to Be in the Art World
Since the winter of 2019, our role at the John Mann Gallery offered us the rare opportunity to help shape a start-up company while deepening our connection with artists, collectors, and the exhibition world. But what started as employment soon became something deeper. Over the years, the experience opened our eyes to the transformative power of art and the unique role it plays in culture and society.
When we founded Armstrong Fine Art Consulting, it was more than a career decision—it was a choice to make the art world our livelihood. That decision was not taken lightly. It meant asking ourselves: Why stay in this industry? What motivates us to devote our lives to it? The answers continue to guide everything we do.
The Role of Art in Society
Art is more than an object on a wall. It is a mirror, a record, and a force of connection. It preserves cultural identity, tells stories that span generations, and sparks conversations across borders. It also sustains economies—supporting industries, tourism, and small businesses—while contributing to personal and collective well-being. Art has the power to heal, to inspire, and to unite.
The Role of the Artist
Artists themselves occupy a profound place in this ecosystem. They are creators and visionaries, often working on the edges of society, giving voice to truths that might otherwise be overlooked. Through their work, they shape cultural narratives, challenge assumptions, and offer perspectives that deepen empathy and understanding.
Philosophically, artists wrestle with the human condition—identity, existence, morality—while also addressing urgent issues of our time, from inequality to climate change.
Their practice is both deeply personal and profoundly universal.
Supporting artists means ensuring that these essential voices continue to be heard.
Why Collecting Matters
Our time at the John Mann Gallery taught us the importance of collecting—not just as a market activity, but as an act of stewardship. Collectors safeguard stories, perspectives, and pieces of cultural history. Each work acquired becomes part of a larger narrative, connecting the artist’s vision with the collector’s legacy.
At Armstrong Fine Art Consulting, we see our role as a bridge: connecting collectors with works that resonate, while ensuring that artists are supported and celebrated. Collecting is not only about ownership—it is about preservation, dialogue, and contribution to a shared cultural legacy.
Our Commitment
By choosing to remain in the art world, we have chosen to champion more than a business. We are advocating for artists, for collectors, and for the belief that art is indispensable. Our livelihood is rooted in conviction: that art enriches identity, strengthens community, and inspires progress.
This is why we continue to be here—not just in the art industry, but living within it. For us, art is not only a passion; it is a way of life.
And along the way, our time working at the John Mann Gallery at 13th Street Winery left us with a few simple but lasting lessons that guide us even today:
Health is wealth—take care of yourself, eat well, exercise, and enjoy life in balance.
Family matters—spending quality time with loved ones is just as important as professional success.
Invest in quality—assets can become a burden but objects chosen with longevity and generational value in mind enrich life far beyond the present, transforming from temporary possessions into a lasting legacy.
Just as art teaches us to pause, reflect, and live with intention, these lessons remind us that our work—and our lives—are most meaningful when we embrace balance, connection, and gratitude.
What Our Collector's Say:
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What Our Collector's Say: 〰️
“I wish to thank you for mentioning the importance of stewardship for a collector. This is not something I have thought much about. Our heirs will get our collected art but much of the value will be lost if we don't take steps to collect the stories associated with each piece. That would be particularly true in our case because our collection, have rich stories that go with them.” Don Mackenzie
