ABOUT THE ART GUIDE
The Art Guide made its debut in Connecticut with a 24 page issue in September 2004, featuring display ads and listings from 23 intrepid supporters. That same CT edition now regularly lists 130 galleries, museums and artists, covers parts of MA, NY and RI, and fills 64 pages with no room to spare.
The origins of the Guide are similar to many business success stories; listening to one’s customers and satisfying their needs. Publisher Matt Holmes and Advertising Director Graham Scott began formulating the Guide after working with CT art galleries on another publication for galleries and antiques dealers. Many of the galleries complained that there was no affordable four color publication devoted to the CT art scene.
Feature Articles and Reviews
After some basic market research and considerable legwork traveling the state, we learned that there are over 200 active commercial galleries, a dozen or more world class museums, and a vibrant artist community represented by a large number of art associations. Despite all this activity, there was no central source of information on the numerous exhibitions and receptions occurring every day.
The Art Guide owes its success to the community which has embraced it. That first issue was made possible by our charter advertisers, who told us that if we created the right publication to fill the void in the market, they would support it. Support it they have, with almost all of our original advertisers still advertising today, along with many, many others. Along the way, the feedback received from gallery owners and artists has led us to add features such as the Calendar of Receptions, Focus on the Artist, Profile of the Gallery, and Artist Showcase.
We hope that the positive feedback from the art community will continue as we expand the geographic scope of The Art Guide. We will introduce other regional editions as the newer ones become established. Art is everywhere and we plan to serve art communities wherever there is support for our publications.
The Art Guide is one part of Harbor Publications, Inc., which also publishes MAIL-A-MAP Street Maps for over 150 communities in CT. Another division is Harbor Promotions, a full service promotional products distributor. More information on the many imprinted and embroidered items available through Harbor Promotions can be found at www.harborpromotions.com
“We had a lady call us from Woodbury who saw our cover image on The Guide
and asked whether we still had it in stock. She drove down to the gallery and
bought 2 Dali lithographs and we expect her to be a regular account.”White Space Gallery, New Haven, CT