Loaded Bow

Isabella at the Isabella Egan Gallery Opening

Masters Graduate of Sothebys, Isabella Egan, was working as the Manager of the Monte Clark Gallery in Vancouver.  Now she is the Isabella of the The Isabella Egan Gallery which has been going since March of this year. Isabella’s bang began with a launch. The launch was wrapped in a perfect party, privately opening the gallery with class and a ton of buzzing excitement!

Dynamically filling the void in the Vancouver art industry, the Isabella Egan Gallery is introducing exceptional new artists from both the province and around the world to the growing market of local collectors. The Gastown gallery itself is a haven for those wishing to either develop an existing collection or take their first steps to becoming an art collector. Dedicated to making the art industry as transparent and understandable as possible, the Isabella Egan Gallery is a home for those wishing to increase their knowledge and expand their horizons within the international art market.

Loaded Bow: Considering you were the manager of Monte Clarke for two years, has the transition to working in a gallery of your own been similar to how it was working for someone else?

Isabella Egan: Working for Monte Clark was a wonderful experience and a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of Vancouver’s best. But I’ve got to say there is nothing quite like being ones own boss. It’s an incredible feeling and something I’ve worked towards for a number of years. There is more responsibility now (it’s my name and reputation above the door), but also more freedom. The transition was pretty painless as MC was incredibly supportive of what I wanted to do and I still very much have him as a mentor. I think one of the hardest things about “going solo” so to speak was accepting the good and the bad, and knowing that whatever happens the buck stops with me. It’s a steep learning curve opening your own business, but I was very lucky in the support of my peers as well as my family and friends. The business similarities to running someone else’s gallery to running my own are definitely there, but from working in a number of different galleries and art business I was very clear on some differences that I wanted to implement in my own space. It’s a great feeling to wake up in the morning and know that the make or break of the business is my sole responsibility.

Monte Clark Gallery

LB: Can you tell us a bit about how your prior experience in the industry has helped you in your launch of the Isabella Egan Gallery?

IE: I started at the Redfern Gallery in London under the tutorledge of Maggie Thornton, one of London’s leading art dealers. I learned an awful lot from Maggie about the importance of a professional out look. Sotheby’s taught me a lot about the international art market. I learned about a diverse spectrum of art market externalities, from Art Law, to Marketing to Ethical business practices whilst being encouraged to participate on a number of different levels. It was a great experience and I would recommend the Masters course to anyone interested in getting involved in the art industry. From Sotheby’s I created the CCC (Contemporary Collectors Club), which is an international members club designed to encourage and increase the involvement of a younger generation of collectors in the international art market. After that was up and running and doing well I moved to Vancouver and the Monte Clark Gallery, I continue to run the CCC and well I guess the rest is history! All of these factors and learning curves, mentors and experiences brought me here to where I am today. I don’t think I would be here without any of each individual experience. Without the steps to get here that I’ve taken I don’t think I would be capable of creating the Isabella Egan Gallery and running it to the high level of competence that I have been taught to expect!

LB: Since you have opened in March, have the day to day functions of the business gone as you had expected? If not, what have been the biggest surprises?

IE: I think I’ve got to say that it has pretty much gone as planned. I’ve been slightly overwhelmed by the positive feedback and encouragement that I’ve received from both the general public and art market participants! I’ve also been bowled over by how lucky I am to work with such talented and wonderful artists.

Zoë + Gen at the Isabella Egan Opening

LB: The launch pictures of the Grand Opening for the show “For Instance” are hot and fun and it looks like there are so many people in the room. When people are browsing online, how do launch pictures affect how people view your gallery?

IE: I popped them on the sight because I was proud of them and the turn out we had for the opening. I want people to feel welcome and relaxed in the gallery and I hope that having something a little fun like the party pictures on the site will allow people to feel that the gallery is accessible. Also, lets be honest the crowd at the opening was beautiful! So many young, trendy and attractive people in one room! What’s not to shout about!

For Instance Opening

LB: As a young gallery, how do you decide which events and openings and Art Fairs to attend?

IE: That’s a tricky one. I wish I could go to them all, but its only me here and I run the space myself so I can’t jet off everywhere on a whim so I cherry pick, normally based on if there is a particular artists I want to see or a particular gallery I want to meet or a collection I would like to see.

LB: So many small businesses go under early on. When you start your own business, are you able to set aside your financial worries and just put your head down and get the job done or should women be keeping this at the center of their workday and driving everything around financial success?

IE: If you can set aside your financial worries you are a very lucky person! I don’t think I’ve slept properly since I started this venture, but that’s part of what keeps me thriving. I believe complacency can lead to boredom and I’m determined to keep the gallery fresh and active. I think it goes without saying that any successfully business will always keep their eye on the financial ball. It’s finding the balance between ensuring that you maintain a clear and present idea of your financial capabilities and making sure that you allow yourself to plan and focus on running the business properly!

Clearly, Isabella had a fabulous launch!  Looking at her pictures made me reflect on all of the openings that I’ve been to – both for myself and others.  I was inspired to look at some of my launch pictures.  Some openings a big hit, while others flop even though they feature great work.   The reasons that some galleries get great attendance depends largely on the popularity of the artist and the popularity of the hosts parties. A hosting gallery and/or the hosting artist must have a history of hipness to bring together crowds of hipsters. I will tell you clearly and truly (and you can ask anyone I lived with in Montreal), though I am a social being with a bit of charisma, I have never been, nor have I ever strived to be, a happening girl. One photo I found exemplifies both a need for a younger crowd at my events and also a dire call for my work to be purchased from people outside my extended family. I present to you, a photo of my great aunt proudly displaying her first “Zoë Pawlak original” for the camera.

Support from Aunty!

We would love to see YOUR ”bad launch” pics!  Please send them to zoe@loadedbow.com so we can have a launch-off of the best of the worst!

zoë+loaded bow