Today we are delighted to welcome Dr. Erin Smith and Dr. Timothy Imafidon Jr, passionate art collectors and owners of Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr . Erin Smith completed her undergraduate education at Duke University in Durham. After her graduation she earned her Doctorate from Howard University before heading south to continue her training at Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics, earning certification in Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Orthopedics. Professionally, Dr . Smith is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, and the National Dental Association. Personally, she is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Dr. Timothy Imafidon Jr . is a Board Certified pediatric dentist who was born in High Point, North Carolina. Growing up, he called North Carolina, Ohio and Indonesia home before heading off to Guilford College in Greensboro where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following college, Dr. Imafidon completed four additional years of dental school at Howard University in Washington D.C. before completing a two-year residency program at Jacobi Medical Center, a teaching hospital affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. While in N.Y . he received extensive training in treating special needs and medically compromised children at the Rose F. Kennedy Center for Developmental Disabilities. He is a member of the North Carolina Dental Society, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

In this episode of The Art Elevator podcast, Sarah Reeder and Larissa Wild speak with Dr. Erin Smith and Dr. Timothy Imafidon Jr. about their journey in collecting art. I

Topics discussed:

- How to start educating yourself on the type of art you are interested in

- Their tips on how to start a collection

- How their collecting focus on African American art has influenced their friends, family and clients

- The importance of supporting artists whose work speaks to you

- The joy of living surrounded by art

You can read more in the show notes here: https://larissawild.com/post/13416-the-art-elevator-episode-48---insights-on-collecting

Podcast Show Notes

Makeba Boateng is a cultural strategist and the founder of Fashion Forum Africa, dedicated to preserving and promoting Ghana’s rich textile heritage and fostering sustainable fashion practices. With over three decades of experience in public relations, appraisal, and curation, she has worked on globally recognized projects, including the Victoria & Albert Museum's Africa Fashion exhibition, now touring internationally. Makeba is reshaping the narrative around African heritage and creativity for a global audience.

Makeba is an Accredited Public Relations Practitioner, a USPAP-Compliant Personal Property Appraiser leading her company Boaten Appraisal Service, and a passionate advocate for indigenous African design. Her work bridges Ghana’s textile traditions with global innovation, inspiring a sustainable future for African fashion and design.

Her work celebrates the intersection of history and modernity, blending storytelling with advocacy to elevate indigenous African textiles and design. A champion for sustainability and cultural preservation, she collaborates with artisans, designers, and institutions to create meaningful projects that honor tradition while inspiring innovation. By promoting indigenous techniques and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, she aims to inspire the next generation of creators to embrace their roots while shaping a global impact.

Makeba's work is a testament to the power of tradition in driving contemporary relevance, making her a trailblazer in the world of fashion and cultural advocacy.

Links:

Fashion Forum Africa: https://fashionforumafrica.com/

Makeba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeba-boateng/

Boaten Appraisal Services on LinkedIn

Makeba's ISA Profile

Fashion Forum Africa Instagram

Fashion Forum Africa Facebook

Makeba's main garment worn during the interview: Hand-Batiked Silk Long Kimono by: Studio 189

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Art Elevator on YouTube for more behind-the-scenes stories from the art world.

Sponsor Shoutout:

This episode of The Art Elevator is brought to you by Appraisal Scribe, where you can optimize your appraisal process with their all-in-one platform. Learn more here!

To stay inspired and informed, join our email list today! You'll receive updates about our latest creations, valuable tips, and a deeper look into the art world.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN!

Podcast Show Notes:

In this episode of The Art Elevator Podcast, we are joined by Lucy Walter, Head of Small Business Partnerships at Artsy, the world’s largest online marketplace for discovering, buying, and selling fine art. Lucy shares her journey from finance to her current role at Artsy and discusses how the platform is revolutionizing the art market for small and emerging galleries.

From strategies for increasing visibility to the importance of diversifying sales channels, Lucy provides invaluable insights into how galleries can thrive in the digital art world. She also introduces Artsy’s exciting new partnership with ArtCloud, which simplifies gallery operations and empowers them to focus on what they do best: connecting collectors with incredible art.

Whether you’re a gallery owner, an art collector, or simply fascinated by the intersection of art and technology, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What is Artsy? An introduction to the platform and its mission to expand the global art market.
• Challenges for Small Galleries: How Artsy helps galleries grow visibility, reach global collectors, and manage operations efficiently.
• Online Art Sales Trends: Why 80% of collectors are buying art online and how Artsy is leveraging this shift.
• The Power of an Online Presence: Tips for galleries to integrate in-person events with online platforms for maximum impact.
• Artsy x ArtCloud Partnership: How this integration is transforming inventory management and sales for galleries.
• Why Artsy is a Game-Changer for Collectors: A seamless journey from discovery to purchase and beyond.

Key Highlights:

• Artsy has seen a 40% increase in sales this year despite a broader market downturn.
• Galleries on Artsy gain global visibility, which is essential for emerging artists with regional demand.
• Artsy’s tools and analytics help galleries save time, optimize their operations, and grow their businesses.
• The ArtCloud partnership streamlines inventory and sales management, saving galleries up to 80% of time on administrative tasks.
• Collectors can explore curated collections, discover emerging artists, and purchase works from galleries worldwide with ease.

Resources and Links:

• Register interest in Artsy: https://partners.artsy.net/gallery-partnerships/
• Explore the ArtCloud Partnership: https://partners.artsy.net/artcloud/
• 2024 report on collector behavior: https://partners.artsy.net/resource/art-collector-insights-2024/
• Artsy Viewing Rooms: https://www.artsy.net/viewing-rooms

Sponsor Shoutout:

This episode of The Art Elevator is brought to you by Artifactual History and Larissa Wild Fine Art. To stay inspired and informed, join our email list today! You'll receive updates about our latest creations, valuable tips, and a deeper look into the art world.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN! - https://larissawild.com/podcast-signup