We were lucky to catch up with Virginia Blair recently and have shared our conversation below.

Virginia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

In a sea of gorgeous art, an art dealers job – on top of finding art for their clients, is also having the knowledge of knowing the history of the piece of art and checking its authenticity. I have been dealing original art since I interned eons ago, before I owned VADA GALLERY. However my first lesson of the power of original art was when I was studying at SACI, and living in Florence, Italy. Instead of studying a print from the art history books After that experience I knew I only wanted to sell original art. Living in Florence, Italy was a dream. It was everything you can think of. It was hot, the architecture stunning, the pasta; gorgeous and delicious, and the daily fashion has changed my style forever. When I first visited the Uffizi, the volume of the museum itself was intimidating but magnificent. It was moving. Not to say if I visited a museum or gallery full of prints I wouldnt feel some type of way. But to be in the midst of an original piece, knowing that an artist or artists created that very piece, it brings energy into a room. The feelings one recieves while viewing an original piece of art is very specifically a personal experience, different for everyone. When I first saw The Birth of Venus, a painting by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, probably executed in the mid 1480s, located inside the Uffizi. That is the very painting that helped solidify my decision to deal only original art, and that is what we do at VADA GALLERY.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

VADA Gallery Owners Virginia Blair and Franz Diedling, gladly have been in the art + music world for years. Virginia has been an art dealer and art historian for over 10 years. She has represented artists both globally and locally. With a background in Art History from SACI College of Art & Design, located in Florence, Italy, to education in Tours, France, BGSU, as well as completing studies at the University of Oxford in the UK for Art History, a dream of owning an art gallery has finally become a reality. She partnered with husband, local music and avid art lover + promoter, Franz Diedling, to mesh the love of arts. Franz Diedling grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, he then moved to LA for ten years where he did music promotion, a variety of jobs, and event planning. He found himself back in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio where he is currently a music promoter, taproom manager, and jack of all trades at Fretboard Brewing Company. His love of arts and entrepreneurship, Virginia’s knowledge of art history and the art world, have led to the creation of Vada Gallery. Vada Gallery is a Cincinnati, Ohio family business, a place for the latest exhibits, for new and seasoned artists (all mediums welcome).

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I would have to say our location helps us a great deal in meeting new clients. We are perfectly located in Clifton Gaslight in Cincinnati, Ohio. Being a business owner in this historic art filled community is something I am truly grateful for. This creative community, visitors to the area, and more help to add to our clientele list. Clifton is a very brilliant neighborhood, in the fact that we like to really support locally and we are passionate about doing so. Immediately when we opened VADA GALLERY, we were met with a bottle of champagne from our local wine store, Ludlow Wines. Each week we see new faces enter the gallery, each show the same thing happens. It truly is exciting to see how art can influence a neighborhood even if you dont live in that neighborhood and are just visiting.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

What made me want to become an entrepreneur. I think in life, we may think that we dont have time to persue what makes us inevitably tik, but if we don’t persue our passions now, then when. I made time. The ability to be versatile is not only cathartic, it adds zest to each chapter of your life. On top of being an art gallery owner, I am also a mother and wife, working on a cookbook and food writer for CITY BEAT. At times the juggle is damn difficult, but its rewarding. At the end of the day I know I am putting my best foot forward, and its a high heeled foot at that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.VADA-GALLERY.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vadagallery_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VADAGALLERY
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/VADA_GALLERY

Image Credits
Virginia Blair and Franz Diedling