The term ‘fine art’ has long been associated with Kodner Gallery in the St. Louis community. The family-owned business opened its doors in 1970 and continues to provide customers with knowledgeable service in the buying, selling and appraisal of fine art, antiquities and collectibles.
Jonathan Kodner, president and director, helms the company with his brother, vice president and director David Kodner. “We have been helping the St. Louis community for close to 50 years,” Jonathan Kodner says. “We have a landmark reputation for being the best source for the most professional fine art services.” One of the biggest draws is the gallery’s professionalism and ability to serve clients in a discreet, confidential manner, he says. There are numerous benefits to buying and selling through the gallery rather than at public auction, Kodner notes. “We remove the risks involved with going to public sale,” he says. That’s because Kodner knows his client base and can work behind the scenes to match sellers and buyers. “We eliminate any unnecessary exposure and even the miscellaneous costs involved in selling at an auction.”
Additionally, items sold through Kodner Gallery do not become public record, avoiding a computer database for all to see. This can protect the future integrity of valuable art in a number of ways. “If a piece doesn’t sell at auction, that becomes public knowledge, and can make it very difficult for the next time around. If it does sell, there is a specific price you have to adhere to down the road because the previous price is now public knowledge,” Kodner explains. “Privacy means better security in your investment.”
The gallery also offers restoration, conservation and framing services, and complimentary verbal consultations. “Our expertise includes impressionism, American Western, regionalism and Hudson River, as well as post-war modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, rare prints and sculptures,” Kodner says. In addition, the gallery holds exhibitions of both established and up-and-coming artists to the community. An opening night preview for the upcoming exhibit, R.H. Dick: Retrospective, will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 and is free and open to the public. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the artwork during the exhibition will benefit the St. Louis Mercantile Library Art Museum. “Bob Dick is an artist, author, educator and historian,” Kodner says. “He is a Missouri native, and the exhibition features paintings, sculpture, works on paper and photography.”
The gallery also reaches out through its annual event, Trash or Treasure, similar to the popular TV series Antiques Roadshow. For the past five years, Kodner Gallery has partnered with the local Nine Network to present the event, this year taking place Nov. 1 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Ill. “People can call the network to purchase a ticket to bring their items, and one of 20 professional experts from various fields will give them a free verbal consultation,” Kodner says. Interest continues to grow since the event began more than 15 years ago, which also relates to the growing number of collectors in the area. “I think collectors are definitely more knowledgeable in St. Louis now,” Kodner says, “but it’s important to be guided by experts toward a certain level of quality and value.”
He says he and his brother take great pride in the tradition established by their late father, Martin Kodner. “I think one of the greatest aspects of the business is reaching out to the community and educating clients, developing their eye and knowledge about their family heirlooms,” he says. “Fine art is a wonderful way to diversify your assets while simultaneously enjoying your investment.”
[Kodner Gallery, located at 9650 Clayton Road, specializes in the buying, selling and appraising of fine arts, antiquities and collectibles. For more information, call 314.993.4477 or 800-993-4478 or visit kodnergallery.com.]
Pictured: Jonathan Kodner and David Kodner
Photo: Bill Barrett