The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
I've finally dusted off the cover of The Girl with the Gallery by Lindsay Pollock which was recommended by Alyson Stanfield more than a year ago on her great website: artbizcoach.com
Replete with fascinating peeks into the art world of the early 20th century, this book tells the story of Edith Halpert, the Maven of Modernism. Edith championed both American modernism and, though it might seem opposite to some, she also was among the first to carry the banner for folk art, introducing naive works into the sophisticated New York art market in the 30's.
The daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, Edith arrived in NY from Odessa at the age of six, and worked her way from poverty to the pinnacle of New York's art world.
Her story is particularly relevant to the current economic situation. She, and her gallery both survived the Great Depression. Not only was she a successful art dealer, but as an advisor to the WPA Federal Arts project she was instrumental in supporting the work and well being of many artists. Her gallery survived the great depression through shrewd, tenacious, smart business decisions, without artistic compromise.
She discovered Edward Hicks Peaceable Kingdom in a barn, cleaned it up and sold it. Imagine!
She also promoted Jacob Lawrence and his ground breaking Migration series and on occasion represented O'Keeffe and Arthur Dove.