We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Morton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I was very fortunate to be able to sign up for an art history and studio art class during my sophomore year in high school. I had two wonderful teachers who changed my life in their classrooms. They inspired me and also expected a lot, a magic combination which fueled both my drive and imagination. The exposure to arts in a learning environment was deeply impactful and set me on a path of pursuing a creative career. My first art job was at a gallery in Boston while on summer break from school, followed by internships at artist co-ops, auction houses, and finally the opening of my own contemporary gallery space in 2010.
Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Amy Morton and I am the founder and chief curator of Morton Fine Art in Washington, DC. I opened my contemporary art gallery in 2010 with the hope of providing accessibility to museum-quality contemporary art through a combination of substantive exhibitions and a welcoming platform for dialogue and exchange of original voice. My goal is to create an environment which feels educational and connected, not intimidating or elitist. My gallery specializes in a stellar roster of nationally and internationally renowned artist-partners as well as has an additional focus on artwork of the African and Global Diaspora.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience in the arts is incredibly important. There are a lot of ebbs and flows in a creative career, many of which are not impacted by performance but instead by economic, social and sometimes political forces beyond our control. Creative thinking and an agile posture can serve as the best form of resilience for adapting a business for longevity. For example, during the early days of the pandemic I had just opened a pop-up project in a second location in addition to programming in my home gallery. We went into lockdown and there were zero art sales for an alarming amount of time. I decided that within the discomfort and fear of losing my gallery there was also opportunity to change things. Instead of collapsing, I invested in some streamlining tools for my website which empowered my clients and allowed for direct acquisition. These are business tools I still value today and I’m grateful I decided to innovate and improve in a moment when staying with the status quo and avoiding additional risk seemed easier.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Supporting a creative ecosystem and all facets of the arts is pivotal for imagination, growth and democracy. I recommend familiarizing oneself with creative spaces, connecting with them and through them, and also supporting them. Most creative businesses need active support, so I like to remind patrons, collectors, enthusiasts and fellow creatives to remember that these are careers and businesses which provide access to culture, and exist because of hard work, dedication and the need for backing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mortonfineart.com
- Instagram: @mortonfineart
- Facebook: Morton Fine Art
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mortonfineart
Image Credits
Photo credit: Jarrett Hendrix