Starting an art collection should feel exhilarating, not intimidating – but this isn’t always the case. To understand why, art collector Katya Berezovskaia and former commercial curator Stephanie Germano spoke about their first art purchases and explained why they think the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Give to Get Art Auction is the perfect place to start.
Start with what catches your eye
For many people, a collection begins with finding artwork that immediately connects with you. Berezovskaia, an Ottawa-based emerging art collector, remembers the exact moment she came across a print by Cuban artist Eduard Guerra and was instantly drawn to it.
“I found my first piece at 16 on a family trip,” Berezovskaia recalls. “I was captivated by the refined details, whimsical colours, and enigmatic storytelling – poetry in a print. His unique holography technique blends printmaking and engraving. It caught my eye and I wouldn’t leave without it.”
Experiences like this show us that collecting art can have simple beginnings, and often starts with a piece that resonates with you.
Photo by Lindsay Ralph
Why the Give to Get Art Auction is a great place to start
The Give to Get Art Auction is an accessible way into the art world. With artworks offered at a range of price points, it makes collecting approachable for new buyers.
Each purchase also helps fuel the careers of emerging artists and arts professionals across the Ottawa-Gatineau region. “When you buy original artwork, you’re not only adding to the uniqueness of your home, but you’re also investing in another human being,” says former commercial curator and current OAG Collections Manager Stephanie Germano.
Proceeds from the auction also support free exhibitions, education, and community programs, helping sustain and grow the local arts community while keeping art accessible to all.
Advice for fellow emerging collectors
Berezovskaia’s advice for new collectors is that “the best collections begin with curiosity and a genuine connection to the work.”
She recommends to “start by looking at a lot of art. Visit museums, pop into galleries, scroll Pinterest. Let yourself be drawn to certain pieces. Don’t worry about trends or what’s ‘cool.’”
Conversations with artists or gallery staff can also help collectors learn more about the stories and ideas behind the work. “Learn about the artist, follow them on social media, don’t be afraid to engage with them,” Germano shares.
Photo by Lindsay Ralph.
Discover Your First Piece
Curious about collecting? The Give to Get Art Auction brings together artists, collectors, and curators for an evening of celebration and bidding that is open to everyone.
Online bidding opens on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, at 8:30 AM, and closes on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 8:30 PM. The artworks will be on display in the Alma Duncan Salon at the Ottawa Art Gallery from May 16th to May 21st.
You might just discover the piece that starts your own art collection!
Get your tickets and view the latest event updates here.
Location:
Ottawa Art Gallery
Alma Duncan Salon, level 3
10 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2
Photo by Lindsay Ralph.
