Westworld Alberta

3, n , tt The FINE ART of Investing You're decorating your home and it hits you: it's time to retire the college-era prints and invest in a serious piece of art. You've tucked away a tidy sum – say, $2,000. But is this enough to purchase a piece that will hold its value and possibly appreciate over time? Anything between $2,000 and $5,000 is a respectable amount, says Angela Bugera Matheson, owner of Bugera Matheson Gallery in Edmonton and former business analyst. Art holds its value, much like jewellery, and even increases in value – so long as it measures up to certain criteria. "There's a difference between professionals, and the art they produce, and amateur art, which can be nice, but is not where your investment dollars should be going," says Bugera Matheson. Here's what to look for in an artist: Mastery of technique: The artist should be skilled in the technical aspects of his medium, like composition and use of colour – which comes from professional training, such as a degree program at an art school. Experience: How advanced is the artist's career? How widespread is her distribution? How many solo shows has she had? Awards and accolades from professional associations are also a good sign. A designation from the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts is one of the highest distinctions an artist in this country can receive. Inspiration: This is the magical feeling, the pixie dust that makes an artist's work special. "Number one, art should bring the buyer pleasure," says Bugera Matheson. After you've responded with your heart, you can analyze with your head to determine whether the piece is a wise investment. If you're purchasing from a reputable gallery, it's a pretty safe bet, so don't be afraid to buy something simply because you love it. –S.R. INSURE YOUR MASTERPIECE Because your one-of-a-kind art piece is irreplaceable, consider adding a fine arts floater to your home insurance policy. Although coverage for fine art is included in many home insurance packages, there are often limitations. This is because, by its nature, fine art can't be easily replaced with similar articles of comparable value. A floater ensures that you receive the full value of your piece when you make a valid claim. As always, be sure to go over the policy's fine print with your insurer. AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE Been art shopping? Protect your prize pieces with a fine arts floater from AMA Insurance. AMAInsurance.ca iStock p12-15_Up Front.indd 15 TEST YOUr Road Smarts Q: Is cruise control dangerous on wet or icy surfaces? A: Yes. If you're driving on a wet or slippery surface using cruise control and your vehicle hydroplanes (your tires lose contact with the pavement), your wheels will spin faster as your vehicle attempts to maintain the pre-set cruising speed. By the time you disengage the system, you may have already lost control. Westworld >> f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 15 13-01-16 12:26 PM

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