Why do people collect art? I’ve wondered what inspires people to spend time and money filling their homes, and sometimes private galleries and even warehouses, with works of art. Is it prestige? A desire to be a part of a creative endeavor? An effort to engage with a community of artists? Is it an obsession? An investment? Or something else all together? The New York Times art critic Michael Kimmelman wrote that the consolation of art comes in many forms. For some, it is making; for others it is having. Collecting art can be a creative act, when done with thought, curiosity and passion, and maybe with a little bit of obsession thrown in. This week, we visited the home of Ted Elmore to talk about what inspires him to collect art.

Collector Series: Ted Elmore

LookSEE is an online forum dedicated to the visual arts in Richmond,Virginia. We aim to inspire the art curious with a window into artistic process, work, and philosophy. Paige Goodpasture hosts the LookSEE podcast and is a freelance audio producer, an art lover, and a lifelong Richmonder. Her favorite place to be is in a museum. A close second is a bookstore.