Mr. Hampson runs the Michigan & international wing of a nifty family art dealership that he founded in 1971.
Provide some details about your business.
My brother-in-law partner and I are the founders. My sister owns and operates a Habatat gallery in Florida. There are others in Chicago and northern Virginia. I've run out of interested relatives, so I'll not be expanding in terms of real estate. The Michigan gallery, which I operate has annual sales of $5 million with ten employees. The annual sales for all four locations is about $14 million.
Since founding Habatat, you've specialized. Why and how?
Our initial interest was to bring a variety of good art to a variety of people. One of our motivations was the indifferent treatment we often received as youthful browsers in other galleries. Over time, however it became our new intention to accomplish something significant in the art world. In Michigan that was a tall order. Glass art became our passion. An abundance of emerging glass artists had few places to show their work.
What contemporary factors are affecting art dealership in a significant way?
The way art is sold is changing considerably. Art fairs, like those this winter in West Palm Beach, are getting much of the business and the buyer traffic. The worldwide web is a growing art marketplace as well. The 'big box gallery' located in a public location with high rent is declining. Consequently I employ more people skilled at shipping, receiving, and display-building. I've always found it difficult to hire and retain good salespeople. I've relied on family members to fill our sales positions whenever possible.
Explain how Michigan has been good to the Hampson family.
The art audience in Michigan was very receptive to glass art, which was then considered a craft. My entire family, including myself, were college-educated here. I graduated from Wayne State University. Two of our four children are University of Michigan graduates. One son graduated from Michigan State, and another Western Michigan University. My wife is a Michigan State University graduate.
Over time you've discerned a synergy between college and your working artists. Please explain.
Most of the American artists who are exhibiting in our galleries have Masters degrees in fine arts. I've long monitored the colleges and universities (about 75 by my reckoning) that produce good artists working in the medium of glass. The degree-holders demonstrate the benefits of academic exposure to international art and artists. As a result, their work tends to be unique, rather than copied.
Do you have another connection with higher education of which you're proud?
Yes. We've had one college internship (sometimes two) here more or less continuously for 25 years. Several of them have gone on to successful art careers, including our gallery director.
What is the importance of an 'original idea' and its connection to talent?
No matter how well executed, I never want to exhibit a work that is too derivative of another artist. Originality is easily recognized, and it has impact. Originality can change an observer's viewpoint. And glass provides an extra dimension of mystery that rewards the viewer.
Do you distinguish between art and craft?
Yes. If you're discussing craft, you're discussing how an object was made. If you're discussing art, you're discussing why it was made.
In light of talents, skills, art, and craft, what should a college teach?
There are always more artists than there are galleries. There are always more galleries than there are buyers. There should be a balance of instruction between making the art and making a living from the art. On the other hand, we don't want practicality to become so important that it snuffs out the enthusiasm that youths possess.
Explain the opportunities that exist in glass art for talented young Americans.
Working artist careers in glass were wide open twenty years ago. The opportunities have narrowed, but they exist. Entry into the field most often begins with a job as an artist's assistant, which might range from $25 to $50 per hour. Blown glass is an excellent medium for a spontaneous artist, because the creation can be started and finished in a matter of minutes. An artist working in cast or laminate glass may work on the same piece for a year.
Describe the business conditions that exist in art exhibition and dealership today.
In today's economy, art prices have plateaued, even declined some. Glass art is resisting that trend, and prices are still on the rise. The most rewarding non-artist jobs might be curatorial or mercantile. In both cases, business skills and social skills are important.