Excited About Art

Dear Park West Gallery,

"I'm a fly-on entertainer with Carnival and have been on 14 different ships performing over the last 18 months. Last week I was cruising with my my wife who 'strongly suggested' we check out the art gallery. It is not something I was interested in doing but since my better half wanted to go, we did.

First, [the art associate] was fantastic. She noticed a certain Igor Medvedev piece I was eying and warmly approached us and told us all about the artist and his style. [She] then mentioned the art auction and kindly asked us to come.

The auction was rather captivating. As a person who speaks and performs for a living I was very impressed with [the art auctioneer]; he did a fantastic job: Wonderful cadence, great timing, funny and extremely informative.

I made a point at my comedy show to tell the 500 people in attendance they should definitely go to the art auction... Never have I ever been excited about art... After that experience I look forward to collecting more.

Thanks so much to [the staff]. The 8 weeks it takes to ship them to our place will be long, however I am so looking forward to getting them up on the wall."

JASON B.
Milton, Ontario

"Emerald Harbor" by Igor Medvedev
Park West Gallery Collection

"I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your employees, both on the ship (Carnival Liberty – Mar 24 - Mar 31, 2012) and off (your customer service and land sales organization).

First of all on the ship, three of the gentlemen working in the gallery were all so very nice it was an absolute pleasure working with them.

To top it all off, every time I walked into the gallery on the ship, these guys knew who I was by name and they all treated me and my friends like we were long lost friends. It was so inviting and it definitely made me WANT to do business with Park West Gallery. They are an awesome team! 

Once I got home I realized that in the flurry of last minute negotiations, the 'Aloha Bugs' print was not on my final order, so I called customer service and explained what happened. (I called the Saturday before Easter, so I was surprised anyone was even there.) They were very nice, listened to me and made sure they understood the nature of my call before they transferred me to sales... I was so very impressed with how nice [the sales associate] was and how quickly she was able to help me out… and all on a Saturday!

So overall… at every step of the way, your folks were professional, helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly knew how to get the job done. I have purchased from Park West Gallery in the past and I will continue to do so in the future… and of course, I have been telling anyone who will listen what a great experience it was.

Park West Gallery should be very proud of a job well done by everyone I encountered."

LORI P.
Cincinnati, Ohio

A Memorable Park West Gallery Art Auction Cruise on Norweigan Epic

Dear Park West Gallery...

"Thank you so much for your letter thanking me and Tom for joining you on another memorable cruise. My goodness! I should be thanking you and your entire staff for inviting us and for showing us such a wonderful, memorable time on Norwegian Epic.

I had no idea how special the experience was going to be...not only the accommodations, which we are both still talking about to anyone who will listen, but the artists! To actually meet Yaacov Agam and Igor Medvedev, and have them personalize their books to ME.

I have been the proud owner of Medvedev's "Byzantine" (from a Park West Gallery Tampa land auction about six years ago); and when I pointed out that page in his book, both he and his wife expressed a combination of disbelief and happiness that I did, indeed, own that particular piece. At my request, he autographed that page for me.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how special it was to have [Albert Scaglione] join us and participate in the presentations, particularly with Yaacov Agam. I bought an "Agamograph" piece during the auction; and during the photo session with Yaacov, I wished him a Happy Hanukkah. Rather than returning the saying to me, he proceeded to draw two overlapping Stars of David on my autographed page, along with his "rainbow," that he had already drawn. I cannot express how special that experience was to me.

"Sunrise" by Csaba Markus | Park West Gallery Fine Art Collection

I already had three pieces from Csaba Markus' "Beau" series, but had not had the honor of meeting him before. At this event, I acquired two of his pieces--an original colored pencil drawing and a very special edition piece--both beautifully done in his personally-designed frames.

I had acquired a Kanovich watercolor at the Baltic event and overbid another participant to win another Kanovich at this event--a three-dimensional two-figure terra cotta piece.

At the Epic event, I consider myself very lucky to have found another Picasso ceramic, which I will deraly treasure when it arrives.

I really do enjoy the overall experience of being surrounded by the artwork and artists - and learning - a continuing educational experience - about the works as well as the artists. The presentations mean a lot to me even if I don't bid on a particular work or artist. At times I feel as if I'm back in school learning from [the art auctioneer's] and others' expertise. A case in point was the presentation of the works of Robert Kipniss.

This was our fifth VIP trip, and our third VIP cruise. It is difficult to find room for improvement since the hard work of your staff really paid off with the arrangements for the accommodations, auctions, parties, dinners, etc., down to a science.

Again, thank you for all of your consideration, and I look forward to seeing you at future events."

Susan C.

Hudson, Florida