On this episode, Life & Art, we will be discussing William Braemer’s life experiences including founding Art Fusion Galleries and the challenges and successes he experienced through representing over 800 emerging artists from around the world.
Thanks again for tuning in and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
~ The below show notes and links are provided for your convenience ~
~ Life & Podcast does not receive compensation from any of the below organizations ~
0:01:00 – Introduction
0:03:00 – William’s upbringing in New York
0:05:00 – William was encouraged to study business at FIU
0:06:30 – Transition from working in fashion at Macy’s to studying culinary arts
0:07:00 – Applied to several apprenticeships in culinary arts at fine hotels in Europe
0:08:00 – Stayed in the hotel and persistence led to getting the apprenticeship at the Splendid Royal in Lugano Switzerland, near Lake Cuomo, Italy which is just north of Milan
0:12:00 – Worked his way through Italy over 3-4 years working in hotels as a chef
0:13:00 – Finished apprenticeship in Europe and moved to Puerto Rico where he owned several bars and catering businesses in the mid-80’s while painting “like a mad man” and smashing a few paintings
0:14:30 – Moved to Miami after selling businesses in Puerto Rico and bought a hotel
0:16:00 – Difficulties getting into galleries as an emerging artist
0:17:00 – Looked at the “wild west” of the Design District and found a location on 40th street to set up a small gallery with his work and sold a sculpture and two paintings in his first month
0:19:00 – Success during the first year in business in the Design District
0:20:30 – Most galleries do not want to deal with emerging artists
0:21:00 – How to submit art for review by William and his team: Artist Submission
0:22:00 – Opened a second location next to his first with 35 artist from around the world
0:24:00 – Created a contract specialized in working with emerging artists containing key elements: time limit of exhibition, price and commission basis
0:27:30 – Combining business and artistic sides to create and curate gallery
0:31:00 – Soaring rents through the years as the Design District became more developed
0:32:30 – Gallery Nights and consistency of the second Saturday of every month
0:34:00 – Larger mid-town gallery of 8,000 square foot displaying 65 artists works
0:35:30 – Zika virus and how it affected the mid-town gallery
0:42:00 – Transition to Wynwood gallery and what prompted this
0:43:00 – Opening St. Petersburg gallery
0:47:00 – Changing with the times: Facebook live feeds, podcasts, experiencing art differently
0:52:00 – Working with the artists that William represents
0:53:30 – Joshua Wingerter Coronavirus-era Paintings on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans
0:56:00 – Rogers Behavioral Health facilities in Miami and Minnesota
0:59:00 – Vito Abba artist and his connection with William
1:03:00 – American’s in London: Art Fusion Galleries and Abba Gallery
1:07:00 – William’s coin sculptures and the story and inspiration behind them
1:15:30 – “There is some kind of challenge with everything that is worthwhile”
1:16:30 – Encouragement by William’s father to pursue business
1:19:00 – “When you buy art, you are buying a moment in time during the artist’s life that can never be recreated”
1:20:00 – Having art forged with William’s name and signature for a fraction of the price
1:21:30 – Public works including Pompano Beach coin fish piece
1:24:00 – Nick Napoletano muralist story on the wall of Art Fusion Gallery
1:30:30 – Vision for the next five years and expected changes to come
1:33:00 – Be able to answer that you shared your talent with the world
1:35:30 – William’s words of wisdom to emerging artists
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This podcast was recorded, produced and published by yours truly James Luddy. The content discussed on this podcast and on the Life & Podcast web page are in no way affiliated with nor representative of the views of my current employer.
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