We were lucky to catch up with Mary Ann Cohen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Ann, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
We have a stunning & eclectic collection of the finest contemporary artists working today, located in 3 unique South Florida gallery locations. We have helped countless clients navigate the art collecting world, source amazing artworks and even find new ways to work in their existing works: carefully curating all of it into a refined and satisfying finished interior. Homes and offices today are open, contemporary spaces where what is selected on one wall needs to make sense and “speak” to the rest of the art in the space. In today’s open interiors, selecting works from multiple sources is ok, if you have the experience, confidence and time to orchestrate a full collection, but at MAC Art you are not alone, we are here to help you as little or as much as you need us. We can get you a “few great pieces” or we can do your entire home or homes! You decide as Our help is free, you pay only for the pieces you collect.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am fortunate to have had a successful 30 year career in the art world in which I have developed a powerful network of artists, consultants, dealers and vendors providing our clients with knowledge & resources to exceed their highest expectations. Our team of experts is really changing the way clients source and purchase art in South Florida and beyond. Representing well over 150 internationally recognized artists and maintaining three large gallery locations in Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach & Jupiter, MAC houses one of the largest, most diverse and eclectic fine art collections in South Florida. My team and I truly enjoy using our expertise and keen curation skills to simplify and enhance our clients art buying experience. We not only represent artists and artwork that we love, and feel are worthy of their client’s attention but we provide some of the best customer service in the nation, whether remotely through our advanced digital capabilities or locally with our personalized guidance and in-home showings that are stress free but comprehensive so clients can feel confident in their final selections. The whole MAC experience is orchestrated to ensure that the artwork not only inspires and reflects our client’s personal aesthetic but at the same time looks amazing and complements their surroundings perfectly.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When I started in this business after leaving a successful career in Art Education, I had a very traditional & academic view of what a gallery was “supposed” to be like. My first gallery in Malibu, California was established in the same space where a very experienced, museum -like gallery had gone out of business. At first, I had wanted to create a museum type experience that matched that failed gallery, but to survive I started to fill the gallery with more pieces and work I really liked and believed in. My instincts paid off but I still felt like I was not classically displaying or showing a limited enough genre of art as a traditional gallery would. A good dealer friend of mine came in one day and said “be beautiful and die a beautiful death” I never forgot that and to this day…. I always think about being non-traditional in choosing my artists and exhibition methods, if I don’t love or believe in the work I can’t sell it. I also want to create exciting and non traditional spaces in which to view and experience the art. All white cube galleries intimidate most clients and don’t allow them to interface and connect with the art they see. I like unique working gallery spaces where the client is a part of the discovery process thereby bridging the gap between artist & collector. My life would certainly be easier if I had a limited selection of commercially known art to sell but it would not be as exciting or fulfilling for me or clients.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?
In the year before Covid with worked with a very lovely NY couple who wanted to fill their new condo in Fort Lauderdale with artwork. They were very conservative in their initial choices and we worked tirelessly to bring dozens of artworks to their home. But we just couldn’t find pieces they both loved. Covid hit and we didn’t see them for about a year, when they came back to us they had spent so much time on-line looking at art, perusing our website and reading about art that their taste had developed, so much so much so that they became interested in our best & most exciting artists. They ended-up collecting one of the best and most sophisticated collections we ever put together. It is a great example of us using the power of great fine art and curation skills to elevate the client’s aesthetic and provide them with art that is truly memorable & timeless!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.macfineart.com
• Instagram: macfineart
• Facebook: MACArtGalleries
• Twitter: MAC_Fine_Art