We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lois Lambert. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lois below.

Hi Lois, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Every new business takes a risk. 35 years ago when I opened the Gallery of Functional Art, my first gallery, there was nothing like it in the US. There was 1 gallery in New York called Art et Industrie. They did some similar exhibits but they were not doing exactly what I had imagined.

I had never worked in an art gallery. I had been around art all my life but this was a real business, and I had no experience running one. I was not a “rich kid” with backing.

I had saved enough to build out a space and pay rent for a year, but that was it. I opened in a Frank Gehry building which automatically gave me some caché. My first show attracted a huge crowd and subsequently all my shows for the next 2 years were packed to the point where people were waiting in line to enter. It has been 35 years since we opened our doors and we have changed quite a bit, as all businesses do, in order to attract new generations of buyers. The gallery is now Lois Lambert Gallery showing fine art paintings, sculpture and photography.

Instead of the Gallery of Functional Art we have incorporated some of that vision into what is now Our Gallery Store. The store is much like some museum stores. We show the best of objects made by artists or high design companies from all over the world. It is amazing we have made it through the hardest of times. It has not been easy. I love what I do and do not plan to stop anytime soon.

Lois, 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?

Every new business takes a risk. 35 years ago when I opened the Gallery of Functional Art, my first gallery, there was nothing like it in the US. There was 1 gallery in New York called Art et Industrie. They did some similar exhibits but they were not doing exactly what I had imagined.

I had never worked in an art gallery. I had been around art all my life but this was a real business, and I had no experience running one. I was not a “rich kid” with backing.

I had saved enough to build out a space and pay rent for a year, but that was it. I opened in a Frank Gehry building which automatically gave me some caché. My first show attracted a huge crowd and subsequently all my shows for the next 2 years were packed to the point where people were waiting in line to enter. It has been 35 years since we opened our doors and we have changed quite a bit, as all businesses do, in order to attract new generations of buyers. The gallery is now Lois Lambert Gallery showing fine art paintings, sculpture and photography.

Instead of the Gallery of Functional Art we have incorporated some of that vision into what is now Our Gallery Store. The store is much like some museum stores. We show the best of objects made by artists or high design companies from all over the world. It is amazing we have made it through the hardest of times. It has not been easy. I love what I do and do not plan to stop anytime soon.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My unusual relationship with the many many artists I have shown. My artists come from the U.S., Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Many of them have become my friends and part of my family. All of them I still stay in touch with.

Additionally, I think people respect me because of my honesty and perseverance.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth has been the most effective, along with social media.   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.loislambertgallery.com
• Instagram: @loislambertgallery
• Facebook: @loislambertgallery
• Twitter: @loislambertGFA
• Other: www.ourgallerystore.com Instagram: @ourgallerystore Twitter: @ourgallerystore Facebook: @ourgallerystore

Image Credits
Nicole Casaletto Photography 2 (77).jpg and Nicole Casaletto Photography 2 (49).jpg – Credit to Nicole Casaletto All other photos are Courtesy of Lois Lambert Gallery