Monthly subscription services are hardly novel, but the latest iteration from Russian-born Dallasite (and 2016 CultureMap Stylemaker finalist) Ekaterina Kouznetsova shows promise. ArtMail is built on Kouznetsova’s desire to “make it effortless to buy incredible art and discover international artists.”
Like a personal curator, the service scouts exclusive museum-quality prints from a variety of international artists and then ships them to members’ doors.
Kouznetsova — a recent University of Texas at Dallas grad with bachelor’s degrees in marketing, global business, and art history — first had the idea after realizing the intimidation factor that often comes with shopping for original art.
“I noticed many of my friends outside of the art world felt intimidated by art, wanting to explore it and collect, but not knowing where to begin.”
To bridge the gap, she spent more than a year developing ArtMail, culminating with the website’s launch earlier this month.
“Placing art in a comfortable setting allows the art-curious to learn and grow at their own pace without pressure or inconvenience,” she says. “I included curated preferences, making it easy for [people] to discover great art from around the world.”
A resource for “the culturally curious, the unorthodox art collector” and “interior designers” alike, ArtMail relies on “art-watchers” in cities — Moscow; Paris; and Glasgow, Scotland, to name a few — across the globe. The goal is to create a “diverse and dynamic” selection of prints that can’t be found anywhere else.
Featured artists hail from more than 20 countries, with styles ranging from impressionistic to abstract. Artists receive a commission on every print sold, along with “increased awareness and promotion of their work, especially in the U.S. market.”
ArtMail members receive an exclusive 8-by-10-inch art print either once a month, once every two months, or once every three months (depending on what you choose), and prices start at $54. Pieces can be professionally framed for an additional charge and always come matted. To ensure each piece is in keeping with their aesthetic, members are asked to set preferences at sign-up. Not in love with the print you receive? Return it within two weeks for a full refund.
In mid-2017, Kouznetsova plans to hold an ArtMail Masters show, where art can be purchased directly from the artists.
"We're continuously working to expand our selection of sizes, frames, and artists," she says. “ArtMail has the potential to become a household name, to bring art and joy into everyday life while supporting talented artists."
All pieces arrive matted, and they can be framed or unframed, depending on what you choose.
