Collect Call: Exploring Art Patronage offers us a view into 8
collections in the Twin Cities. We're spotlighting a collector a day during the
week of the exhibition.
Today we have the pleasure of spotlighting Kim Witczak.
Kim Witczak, freelance art buyer/producer, is responsible for negotiating, securing
and producing all illustrative and photographic needs for commercial
advertising clients such as United Airlines, Starbucks, Target, Best Buy, Dell,
Wagner, JCP, St. Paul Companies, Dove Chocolate, American Red Cross, and Del
Webb. Advertising agencies include: Barrie D'Rozario Murphy, Mono,
Fallon, BBDO New York, BBDO Minneapolis, PMH, Black Design, Brew, Duffy Design.
Prior to going freelance in 2006, Kim was Senior Art Producer at Fallon Worldwide working on accounts like BMW of North America, Citibank, Nordstrom,Timex, and Lee Jeans. Kim started her advertising career in 1989 in Chicago.
Kim has been invited to speak at ICON (International Illustration conference) to present the United Airlines illustration/animation ad campaign as well as recent Minneapolis Institute of Arts MAEP panel on the Convergence of commercial and fine art worlds. She frequently talks to illustration, advertising, and photography classes at MCAD about her professional experience.
In addition to her professional experience, Kim was one of the founders of Free Arts for Abused Children (www.freeartsmn.org <http://www.freeartsmn.org/> ) in 1996, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the healing power of the arts to abused and neglected children in Minnesota. She currently serves on the Board of Directors including past Board President. Plus, she founded Woodymatters, an advocacy organization dedicated to promoting drug safety and FDA reform issues after the death of her husband in 2003.
Prior to going freelance in 2006, Kim was Senior Art Producer at Fallon Worldwide working on accounts like BMW of North America, Citibank, Nordstrom,Timex, and Lee Jeans. Kim started her advertising career in 1989 in Chicago.
Kim has been invited to speak at ICON (International Illustration conference) to present the United Airlines illustration/animation ad campaign as well as recent Minneapolis Institute of Arts MAEP panel on the Convergence of commercial and fine art worlds. She frequently talks to illustration, advertising, and photography classes at MCAD about her professional experience.
In addition to her professional experience, Kim was one of the founders of Free Arts for Abused Children (www.freeartsmn.org <http://www.freeartsmn.org/> ) in 1996, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the healing power of the arts to abused and neglected children in Minnesota. She currently serves on the Board of Directors including past Board President. Plus, she founded Woodymatters, an advocacy organization dedicated to promoting drug safety and FDA reform issues after the death of her husband in 2003.
When did you start your collection? What was the inspiration?
1995 -- I purchased my first piece of art from a gallery in Chicago called George Art. George Colin was an outsider artist that was homeless and started out painting on cardboard. He lived by the cardboard factory and would take it out of the dumpster. He was discovered by gallery owners in Chicago. I met George and was inspired by his story and life as artist. Inspiration for collection is based on philosophy that creativityy is something that everyone comes into the world. It's their story, their form of self-expression. It takes shape in many ways.
Roughly how many pieces of art do you own?
50 + pieces (and several still unframed)
Is there a theme or focus in your
collection?
Personal connection to the artists or piece of art. It's the
intersection of commercial and fine art. Maybe its because my life is a
blend of both and also intersects with my passion of working with the kids of
Free Arts Minnesota.
A huge thanks to Kim Witczak for
participating in this exhibition!
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