**Rick (in red shirt) listens as Tania Ryan gives an introduction.**

There may be few places in Hollin Hills with as much unadulterated “wow” as the art-filled home of Rick and Ann Ward on Marthas Road, where a stunning collection of work by contemporary American artists takes up almost every inch of the place.

And fortunately for us, Rick and Ann opened their home on Saturday afternoon to Hollin Hills art lovers, giving about thirty neighbors free rein to wander around and explore the collection, before Rick gave an in-depth talk about how he became a collector, with lots of practical advice on how build and display a serious art collection.

The house is astounding, and there were artworks everywhere you looked, from the shimmering Rob Lorenson sculpture at the front of the house, to bold paintings by well-known artists like Sam Gilliam (an old friend of Rick’s) and Gene Davis, punchy little wall sculptures by Ted Larsen, a vibrant glass piece by Dale Chihuly, a striking new collage in the stairwell by Raymond Saá and much more, all set off by a collection of enthnographic sculptures.

Rick — who was a successful (but starving) painter himself in his twenties — spent his career working closely with artists and galleries, and after everyone gathered in the living room, he shared his insights into both the esthetic side of art collecting, and the business side.

Develop a “critical eye” by going to lots of galleries and museums, he told the guests, and get to know artists when you can. Don’t worry if you don’t have much to spend — “wealth does not determine aesthetic value,” he noted — and buy for the aesthetic rewards a piece brings to you, rather than hope of profit. (“Be very wary of anyone trying to sell you art as a financial investment,” he added.)

He shared tips on buying art, noting that he steers clear of auctions and rarely buys from galleries, preferring to work directly with artists. But if you do see something in a gallery that you like, he said, don’t be afraid to ask for a 10% discount, which he says galleries will often offer to buyers.

And as for displaying art in the Hollin Hills home? Rick admits that our glass walls provide too little wall space and too much direct sun, which can be destructive to delicate art. But he noted that his house (a Goodman custom design) was his most valuable art investment, and he regards it as a piece of sculpture.

Some of the most thoughtful comments came near the end of the talk, when Rick shared some of his philosophy about collecting. Every piece he owns, he said, no matter its shape or form, was essentially a “self-portrait” of the artist. They all represent, he added, the human desire to express “that most essential mystical concept, which is to make manifest that which is invisible: the notion of truth and beauty.”

Many thanks to Rick and Ann for the fascinating afternoon (which also featured special Hollin Hills cookies!) and to Tania Ryan for organizing this 75th Anniversary event and making the opening remarks. Everyone had a great time — keep an eye out for upcoming 75th events, and come out and meet new friends!

— Stephen Brookes

Featured