A pop-up art exhibition titled “This is Now” is bringing vitality to a Rancho Santa Fe village corner space that has been vacant for over 10 years. Curated by the Ryan Campbell Garrett Art Advisory, the show will be on display through April 25 featuring the works by a variety of artists, including Ed Ruscha, Hugo McCloud, Lynne Drexler, Kim DeJesus, Dashiell Manley, Whitney Bedford, Anne Wherley Bjork, Bella Foster, Allison Schulnik and Sam Gilliam.
The exhibition’s theme borrows a bit from Ruscha’s “That was Then This is Now”— the California pop artist is known for his paintings incorporating typography and phrases and his work and words are visible from Paseo Delicias through the big picture windows. Up front and center are the nearly neon pink and orange trees over a swirling landscape in a work by Whitney Bedford, two huge 90-inch by 90-inch s that had to be creatively and carefully squeezed in through a side door in an effort that turned out to be a tremendous feat.
“I knew we had to have that piece,” said Ryan Garrett, who gave the artwork the perfect placement where the color pops in the window and draws attention.
Since popping up, RCG Art Advisory has had an “incredible” response including a successful opening reception on March 29. The pop-up was a way for Garrett to engage the community and introduce people to the company she owns.
With RCG Art Advisory, the Rancho Santa Fe resident works with new and seasoned collectors, providing expertise in identifying, acquiring, curating and managing art collections.
“I work with clients to build meaningful, legacy collections,” said Garrett of finding people valuable pieces that they will love to live with.
As art advisors they don’t work with a set stable of artists, instead, they work with galleries, knowing what’s coming out ahead of time so clients have the best pick: “Our job is to understand our clients’ preferences and interests and help build the very best collection of art….It’s a lot of fun, personally, to explore different styles and genres.”
Garrett said it’s a joy helping people build their collections, selecting valuable pieces that they will love to live with. They curate fun and unintimidating experiences for collectors at museums, art fairs and studios in places such as Miami, New York, LA, Paris and London, for clients to see the art up close and in person. Garrett helps her collectors develop a deep understanding of what the value of the art is and handles all aspects of an art acquisition, including delivery, framing and installation.
In addition to working with collectors, she also advises private clients, luxury resorts and institutions throughout the country. Her corporate s include luxury resorts such as Four Seasons, Montage and Ritz Carlton —one of her recent projects is the new Waldorf Astoria under development in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Garrett has over 25 years of experience developing art collections and building relationships with the top art galleries. She studied art history at Vanderbilt University and worked at Sotheby’s before founding her own art consulting firm, taking some time away to raise her two daughters and re-launching about seven years ago. With Ryan Campbell Garrett Art Advisory, she has found a perfect business partner in art advisor Laura Martin, a Carlsbad native who used to work in auction houses like Christie’s New York and Bonhams Los Angeles and, most recently, was an associate director of collector sales at Artsy.
A San Diego resident since 1999, Garrett moved to the Ranch from Cardiff about a year ago.
“I have always loved this area,” said Garrett, who has a lot of local connections through her involvement in the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund and as a member at Rancho Valencia. Since moving to Rancho Santa Fe she has fallen in love with the quiet nights, the starry skies and the wildness, like the family of bobcats who visited her yard. She also has a fondness for the village and knew there was an opportunity to share an inspirational art display with the community and introduce themselves to the town.
“A lot of people helped pull this off…we’re really lucky to be here,” Garrett said, recognizing the office of Laura Barry Luxury Estates, who helped connect her with the owner of the long-vacant corner space. She was grateful for the owner’s representative Vern Murray, who took a chance and allowed them to do the pop-up.
Once she got the go-ahead, they set up the gallery space in about a week, adding temporary walls to make room to showcase more art— Martin’s handy husband quickly installed new lighting. And then came the art. Garrett ed galleries to collaborate with for the very rare exhibition, staged by an art advisory.
“The works that you are seeing are some of our favorite artists,” said Garrett of the display, which is an interesting mix of styles. Some of the artists are more established, others are more up and coming. As the artists are at different stages of their careers, the art is available at a variety of price points—some of the work has already been successfully sold.
For the opening event, Garrett welcomed friends from the RSF Women’s Fund and Rancho Valencia, San Diego-based artists, top collectors, people walking by on their way to dinner and even guests from The Inn. In addition to the opening, they have hosted private viewings and will host an open house for builders, architects and interior designers.
With the pop-up, RCG has also connected with village tenants and they want to be a part of the energy and the movement to revitalize the village. On Tuesday, April 15, they will be partnering with other village shops and restaurants on a night to benefit charity. The gallery will host Fairbanks Ranch resident and jazz pianist Mike Nourie for live music to pair with the art.
Garrett’s hope is for the pop-up to have an extended life, with another large art installation this spring and then do another pop-up exhibition that would last through the summer.
“Our goal is keep the momentum going,” Garrett said.
Learn more about Ryan Campbell Garrett Art Advisory at rcgartadvisory.com
