Happy Hour: I Stole a Monet for My Client

Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch
Join this fascinating Happy Hour with guest speaker Debra Rhodes Smith who has written a memoir of anecdotes during her 34-year career as a certified arts appraiser and Fine Art Advisor. Many experiences are shared while amassing the art collections for some of the largest corporations and luxury hotels worldwide. In her book, “Tales of Art Beyond the Frame,” Smith describes one of her most interesting assignments involving the acquisition of a Monet for a client and through some quirky circumstances at a Sotheby’s auction, she was able to obtain a million-dollar Monet for well under the valued price. All of Smith’s tales are true, witty, poignant, intelligent, informative, sophisticated, and a fresh perspective of the often-mysterious world of art.
 
This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills, NC Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.
Register Here

About Debra Rhodes Smith

Since 1977 when I began my career as an art advisor to prestigious corporations, the client list grew throughout the United States and as far as the Middle East and Macao. Not only were there corporate collections, but art placement in the most renowned luxury hotels, healthcare facilities and airline lounges worldwide. This included hundreds of guest rooms and public space art installations. In 1981, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration recognized my expertise and requested I contribute an article to their Journal. Then in 1991, after two years at New York University Appraisal Studies for Fine and Decorative Arts, I joined the Appraisers Association of America. In 2009, I became USPAP compliant.

Cocktail
My favorite cocktail is a Skyy Vodka dry martini using an atomizer of vermouth accompanied with a jalapeno stuffed olive. However, to celebrate the start of the New Year, I recommend Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Manhattan with a splash of bitters. Cheers!