1515 Lincoln Gallery | Valuing Art

I am grateful for my time working with artists, community leaders, and internationally recognized creative visionaries. Each connection introduced me to another remarkable human being who has shared my passion for creating new relationships and community. It was exciting when I first opened the doors to Objets Trouvés in 2019 and made my intentions known to the Oklahoma City community. For these last three years, I have loved the gallery as a venue to further art education and creativity through art exhibitions, profiling local and international artists, facilitating creative conversations, and greeting curious guests.  

On December 8th, I will open the doors to our new artistic community home, 1515 Lincoln Gallery. The inaugural unveiling of this historic location signifies the evolution of Objets Trouvés. Our new beautiful space allows us to produce larger art-focused events connecting collectors and art lovers to talented artists and their artworks from around the world. The events promise to appeal to a broad audience by focusing on different art forms such as music, visual arts, culinary arts, and art education. Although our gallery name reflects the new address, 1515 Lincoln Gallery, we will continue to offer treasured objects inside the Objets Trouvés gift shop.

Throughout the development of our new location, I have worked closely with Oklahoma City's creative collaborators to ensure the space offers a hospitable and distinguished style.

I am happy to welcome a new collaborator to the 1515 Lincoln Gallery, Scott Hale. A third-generation art historian, appraiser, and advisor, Scott has opened an office in our historic gallery building. I met Scott in 2005 when he was working as an art curator for a family that donated art to various philanthropic foundations. Scott owns and operates Southwest Art Appraisals and Southwest Wine Appraisals. Scott grew up around the art world as his grandfather was an art dealer and gallery owner, and his mother was a museum curator and credentialed art appraiser.

Scott’s parents taught him to value art at a young age. He recalls feeling slighted as a child when his parents brought a new artwork home instead of the latest toy. However, he is grateful that they focused on art and the meaningful value it provides. He states, “I’m glad they bought art because I forgot about the toys, but the artworks still inspire me daily and spark fond memories.” Today, Scott’s family collection goes back three generations, and he’s grateful that he can view the work every day, be inspired, and feel the meaningful connections they create.

Scott Hale

As a former educator, Scott always reminds people that art is problem-solving. He states, "I try to explore the problem being addressed and the solution trying to be proposed with every artwork I encounter." Scott feels art is one of the more overlooked components of education because, through our experience with it, we gain a better understanding of complex subjects like math and literature. Scott believes drama, dance, theater, paintings, and sculptures all propose relevant new ideas and directions in any era. "I wouldn't be surprised if the person who comes up with a cure for cancer is an artist because it allows us to think outside the box and challenge all that we know," states Scott. The arts present a new heuristic and a new way of knowledge and understanding that we may have never discovered if it weren't for the artist's unique view of the world.

Scott is excited to work with the 1515 Lincoln Gallery to further awareness about the value of art. Scott believes we are all collectors of something. Whether we acquire paintings, tattoos, concert tickets, or rocks from the ground, each item connects us to a moment, a place, or a person that beautifies our life. Most people do not realize they are collectors, but everything we keep is reminiscent of our unique existence.

Scott's presence at 1515 Lincoln Gallery creates an all-inclusive experience for artists, collectors, and the Oklahoma City community. The unique synergy between his expertise and the gallery will enhance a collector's experience and provide art education for those interested in learning more about art and wine. "I'm excited about the meeting spaces that the gallery has for the public and some of the relationships that it will help build in the community," states Scott. We plan to work with local organizations and schools to expose the community to art and the process of exhibiting and preserving a collection.

We want to remove the preconceived limitations that most people have of galleries. We are focused on creating community and not just on the commodity of art. Scott states, "Every artwork someone brings home from the gallery is a treasure trove of memories." Artwork is not valuable because of the name marked on the piece—it is because of the connection. Scott says, "My job is to put a monetary value on an artwork, but there are other values, such as communal or cultural." The money element is the least important of all art values to Scott. But with that said, the art market is booming, and new records are set daily for artists. Scott says, "If someone is considering collecting, now is a good time to begin because art and wine are asset classes that continue to appreciate."

Scott never thought he would follow his family's artistic path, but he is on it and loves every step of the journey. He is excited to bring his knowledge, family history, and experience to the 1515 Lincoln Gallery. And his value in the gallery will only increase as more people begin to see the advantage of collecting.

Please visit the Southwest Art Appraisals website to learn more about Scott Hale and his work.