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Q: Could you share some insights into the process of selecting artists to represent and how you nurture their careers?Artists are almost exclusively intuitive thinkers. They often live, and act, by their heart and their emotions. That is their greatest strength, as it com- pels them to communicate visually.But it%u2019s also their biggest weakness since con- temporary western society values and rewards rational thought. Collectors may enjoy an artist%u2019s creativity but they also want to know that their investment in the artwork is secure and potential- ly increasing in value %u2013 something that requires grounded decision making.That dichotomy is the single biggest reason that the vast majority of artists never succeed.And that is where the right galleries, curators, agents, and managers are crucial to advancing an artist%u2019s reputation. A brilliant, creative, emotionally driven artist needs a more rational thinker to guide them, to advise them on collectors%u2019 expectations and the likely consequences of various actions and decisions.Selecting an artist to represent requires identifying the desirable traits that allow an artist to create work that is technically proficient, innovative and meaningful along with an understanding of their own limitations and a willingness to collaborate with those who can help them succeed.Q: How do you approach the curation of exhibitions for your galleries? What factors do you consider when selecting artists and their art to showcase?Winn Slavin Fine Art represents a select group of artists, both those who are inde- pendent and those who are managed by an agency such as Masterpiece Publishing. When we curate an ongoing exhibition for the galleries, we%u2019re looking at objective factors, such as whether we have an existing or prospective collector base for the work, how similar the work is to other artists the gallery represents and whether it is comple- mentary to the overall exhibition plan and aesthetic of the gallery.But we also have to turn off our rational minds and consult our hearts to explore how visitors will react, not just to individ- ual works of art but also to the placement and association relative to other artworks. This same willingness to value emotional response allows us to take a chance on an unknown artist who is uniquely talented and whose work is innovative.36 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 40