UGallery
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UGallery is a curated online art gallery headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Founded in 2006, UGallery is an e-commerce platform that connects artists directly with collectors on its website. The company positions itself as an approachable and convenient alternative to the brick-and-mortar contemporary art gallery.[1][2]
 | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Stephen Tanenbaum, Alex Farkas, Greg Rosborough |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Original Artwork |
| Website | www.ugallery.com |
History[edit]
The company was founded by Alex Farkas, Stephen Tanenbaum and Greg Rosborough.[3] The three met in a business class at the University of Arizona. Sharing an interest in the arts, they developed the concept for UGallery through the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program.[4] The UGallery.com website launched in September 2006.[5]
Originally seen as a way to help recent art school graduates find buyers, UGallery began with five artists and 25 pieces of original art.[6] Securing outside capital in 2008,[7] the company shifted its focus to mid-career and emerging artists from around the world.[6]
Gallery[edit]
As of February 2014, UGallery exhibits the work of 500 professional artists and more than 6,500 pieces of original paintings, fine-art photography, drawings and sculptures.[8] The company counts clients in every U.S. state and over 45 countries,[9] as well as 1.7 million social followers.[10][11][12][13]
Reception[edit]
UGallery was an early entrant to the business of selling original art online.[14] At the time, many art critics questioned the concept. A 2007 Wall Street Journal article called "the online art marketplace as mottled as a Monet water scene."[15] By 2012, the online art market was valued at $870 million.[16] In 2014, the estimated value of the online art market grew to $2.64 billion, accounting for 4.8% of the estimated $55.2 billion value of the global art market.[17]
Recognition[edit]
In 2011, The Economist called UGallery "unintimidating enough to encourage a new generation of collectors."[18] In 2013, VentureBeat wrote that UGallery's e-commerce platform is "democratizing the art world."[19] The same year, Internet Retailer named UGallery to their Second 500 Guide,[20] and in 2015, named UGallery the top luxury e-retailer for artwork.[21]
References[edit]
- ^ "New study: many find buying art more intimidating than buying real estate". Private Art Investor. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Zipkin, Amy (February 9, 2018). "A Lifetime of Making Art, but New to Selling It Online". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ "College Business Plans that Made the Grade". Entrepreneur. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "McGuire Program grad UGallery continues to connect people and art". McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Get Schooled". Entrepreneur. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ a b "A Conversation With UGallery Co-Founders Alex Farkas and Stephen Tanenbaum". Forbes. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Ugallery Funding & Ugallery Investors – CB Insights". www.cbinsights.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Fine art moves from gallery to the Web". www.mercurynews.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Stephen Tanenbaum, small business expert, on small business radio program, The Small Business Advocate Show". www.smallbusinessadvocate.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "UGallery (ugallery)". Pinterest. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "UGallery.com". facebook.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "UGallery (@UGallery) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "UGallery (@ugallery) • Instagram photos and videos". instagram.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Patric Herber. "Artist's Toolbox: 30+ Places to Promote Your Art". Mashable. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Crow, Kelly. "A Work in Progress: Buying Art on the Web". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Hiscox Report: Online Art Trade 2013". www.arttactic.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2015". www.arttactic.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Clicking your way to an art collection". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "UGallery hits growth milestones as art sales move online (exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Zaroban, Stefany. "Social media and unique products drive sales growth at UGallery". Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Luxury on the Web: Exclusive Rankings, Data and Analysis of the World's Largest Luxury E-Retailers" (PDF). Internet Retailer.