Friday, August 03, 2007

When good collectors turn bad 1

“Ms. Austin devotes significant time to scouting fund-raisers like a recent 'Smash and Grab' event to benefit a Miami nonprofit art group. For an entry fee of $375, every attendee was guaranteed one art work -- if they could grab it before someone else. To claim the piece she wanted, a work made of glass mirrors by Karen Rifas, Ms. Austin literally sprinted past other collectors and dealers. 'Of course I made a mad dash for the piece,' says Ms. Austin, adding that Ms. Rifas's pieces typically go for thousands of dollars. 'I was getting something for nothing.' "
Wall Street Journal