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As a high-profile destina- tion, Rodeo Drive draws a variety of people with a variety of expectations and motivations. One of the most surprising (and flattering) things that occurs regularly is visitors, thinking we%u2019re a museum, peeking into the gallery and asking how much is the admission charge.We%u2019re open to the public daily and enthusiastic about sharing the art we represent so we welcome everyone who has an interest in art. Since we intentionally and conscientiously avoid the pretense that is so common in the gallery business, we have wonderful conversations with a tremendous variety of visitors.Q: Can you share any memorable experiences or highlights from run- ning a gallery in such an iconic location?Q: Can you tell us about your journey into the art world and what inspired you to establish Winn Slavin Fine Art and Masterpiece Publishing?My journey into the world of fine art was both unexpected and, perhaps, inevitable. My father was a failed artist, one who achieved no success in the field. I grew up in poverty because of it and, as such, wanted nothing to do with creative endeavors. My first career was in information technology, in which I eventually lost interest.As I was struggling to identify a new career path, I met a young artist named Daniel Winn. He had a small gallery representing other artists%u2019 work, while painting in his spare time. He was artistically brilliant, but had very limited business experience. Initially, I advised him on the gallery%u2019s business mat- ters, but eventually, in 1997, we formed Masterpiece Publishing, an artist agency and fine art wholesaler. That lead, 20 years later, to the first Winn Slavin Fine Art retail gallery in 2017.Today I%u2019m firmly entrenched in the creative world with my galleries and film projects.Q: What sets Winn Slavin Fine Art apart in the competitive world of international fine art galleries?The business side of fine art is much like any other business. If you carefully blaze your own path, rather than imitating what your competitors are doing, you can excel.Winn Slavin Fine Art has a long-term focus on emerging and established Contemporary artists whose work is distinctive, technically brilliant, and meaningful. That focus makes us special in a market where concept and hype have overtaken other artistic attributes.Q: What prompted the decision to estab- lish a gallery on Rodeo Drive? How does its location influence the gallery%u2019s identity and clientele?Rodeo Drive is one of the premier retail destinations in the world. As such it draws visitors from across the globe. It also has a well-deserved reputation for luxury goods and is a logical, albeit pricey, location for a gallery. We%u2019re currently the only gallery on Rodeo Drive.Art collectors often look for external in- dicators of the success and potential of the artists in whom they invest. A Rodeo Drive location is one such indicator along with the longevity of the company behind the gallery.Beverly Hills itself is a small city, less than 33,000 people, but residents account for a disproportionate share of the $4 billion retail dollars spent within the city. That means we have both a loyal, local follow- ing and a significant number of non-locals. We%u2019ve also succeeded because our focus on artistic quality and significance aligns well with the values of both residents and visi- tors34 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 40