Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Bass.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The origin of my current business venture, Salon 21, began with my “failed” attempt to become an artist in my own right in a quest to express myself creatively. I was able to get into my high school’s AP Studio Art class with my technical drawing ability and exposure to art. My teacher and I did not see eye to eye–for the first time in my life, I struggled not to challenge authority as I did not respect her assessment of my work. I realized as I stepped back, that I had more of a knowledge and vocabulary to critically examine others’ work and this led me to study art history. Now I can make art freely as more of a hobby.
Since then, I have found artists whose work I connect with and have grown my passion for art history at large through my academic pursuits. I have built a business around this passion and a desire to promote emerging talent, cemented by my MA in Art Business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not – I don’t even know what that would look like. I was so passionate about what I was doing that I thought it would translate right off the bat to a large audience without having put in the legwork to create an actual business model first.
The concept made total sense to me: a salon space like those of the past where people can come together, talk about and support contemporary art. But this didn’t really translate in a physical sense and people couldn’t distinguish a space designed to host experiences from a retail one.
I ended up going back to school for Art Business and further refined my ideas. What I have been doing since has had a more direct focus. Much of this is thanks to bringing on key individuals and mentors. You can’t do it alone, especially if it’s something you’re super passionate about because that will always cloud your larger judgment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Salon 21 is a platform for the intersection of art and conversation. Bringing emerging artists to the forefront, Salon 21 makes collecting more accessible for more budding art enthusiasts. Salon 21 is the new guard of art, building deep connections within a community of art-engaged individuals. As the founder of Salon 21, I wear a lot of hats. This past year was an interesting challenge, bringing people together virtually when we all needed it most via Zoom, Instagram Live, and other online avenues of connection. I’m constantly researching artists, thinking about shows and dinners I’d like to curate, and most recently, bringing Salon 21 artists’ work into my curation/design projects.
Currently, I’m designing commercial and residential spaces from the ground up, both interior design and placing artwork in the space. What sets me apart is my perch within the art world. I started on the art side, and as I’ve mentioned, I felt much more at home on the side of history, appreciation, and connection. I’m proud to decentralize the way art is consumed–there is conversation and community to be had and created outside of traditional galleries and museums; while I have a deep appreciation for the tradition of art, I’m someone who likes to push these boundaries through innovation.
This year, we’re working on an exciting membership rollout–so if you’re in the market for art, community, or design, you should definitely stay tuned with what’s happening at Salon 21.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
The same as I am now. Precocious, determined, creative, focused… I essentially had the same interests and ALWAYS wanted to work – and now that I get to do that, I’m really in my element.
Pricing:
- Art curation: starts at $200 per wall
- Interior design + art curation: starts at $400
- Complete space curation: starts at $1,200 per project
- We recently rolled out amazing wall vinyls by artist Evalina Patiño starting at $65
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salontwenty-one.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salon.21/
- Other: personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexx_bass/?hl=en
