“Don’t Touch the Art!” with Merrily Orsini [Ep15]

Art collector and entrepreneur Merrily Orsini moved to Asheville so she could be within walking distance of her four grandchildren. The fact that she and her husband have a glass art collection of over 200 pieces has necessitated some well-thought-out house designing and strict enforcement of the “don’t touch the art!” rule (although, she sometimes breaks this rule herself).

In today’s episode, Merrily shares the story of the artwork that brought her and her husband together, some of her favorite glass artists, how the glass art industry has changed during this century, and how she hopes to change the world for the better through her Art2025 project. If you’re interested in becoming a glass art collector, Merrily also has some valuable advice for getting started!

Key Points From This Episode:

Merrily explains what drew her to Asheville.
The value that glass art brings to Merrily’s life.
What the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass is, and the role that Merrily has played in the organization over many years.
How art brought Merrily and her husband together.
The size of Merrily and her husband’s art collection.
Advice for anyone interested in becoming an art collector.
Different types of glass art that exist.
Some of Merrily’s favorite glass artists.
Where Merrily’s love of glass art began.
Merrily’s involvement with the James Renwick Alliance.
How the glass art world is changing and the intention behind the Art2025 project.
The piece of glass art that Merrily would love to acquire (and why she can’t).

Tweetables:

“Glass is 3D and tactile, and not only can you look through it and it changes in different types of light, but it also does have a surface area that invites touching and feeling.” — @MerrilyO [0:15:48]

“During COVID, looking at art and experiencing art was peaceful and healing.” — @MerrilyO [0:16:09]

“Glass is a material that can have so many shapes and forms; it is just mesmerizing.” — @MerrilyO [0:28:08]

Longer Quotes:

“The first thing [when collecting art] is that you absolutely need to love it. don’t ever buy anything unless you absolutely love it. The other thing is, you really need to learn about the artist, about the technique, visit museums, visit galleries, travel and meet the artist and watch them work. In glass more than flat art, you really need to be involved in the process in order to appreciate it.” — Merrily Orsini [0:25:48]

“There’s something happening in the art world that is different, that relates to this century. We are coming up on the silver anniversary of the 21st century so we have 25 years of this century that we are trying to take stock in a look back on. Diversity is one of the noticeable ways that art in glass has changed. In the 20th century it was mostly while males. If you look in the 21st century, there are a lot of different people that are blowing glass and making glass and using glass.” — Merrily Orsini [0:43:36]