Ed Nash | Nashville Nfocus Magazine: The Players

Ed Nash

All the stars in the sky must have aligned for the birth of Ed Nash. It seems that every single interest, talent, opportunity and experience throughout his entire life was leading to where he is today. He was born and raised in London (where at age 13, he was a awarded an art scholarship to Bedford Boys School in Bedfordshire, England.), but through some miracle of fate, he has landed here in Nashville, where he founded Oxford Fine Arts—a company that helps people build art collections.

He plays a variety of roles for the people who hire him. From teacher, investment adviser, economist, personal shopper and friend, there's a great deal that Ed's clients can learn from him.

On teaching, he says, "I think the most important thing is for me to have the heart of a teacher. The first step in my process is to help people understand what fine art it is; how to determine value; and, why some art appreciates in value and some art does not."

Next, he's something of an investment adviser: "The secret is to accept the fact that over a lifetime of decorating and finishing our homes, most of us spend an amount of money on decorative art (which seldom if ever appreciates in value) equal to an amount capable of acquiring a select group of museum quality pieces. The media stories about paintings that sell for record sums of money often cause people to think that collecting museum quality art is reserved for only the Buffetts and Gates of this world. The truth is that anyone of ordinary means armed with both the knowledge of how to recognize value in art plus a little patience can accumulate a very fine collection to be enjoyed now and for generations to come."

Now, here he is in his economist role on why art is a good investment: "Hedge against inflation and diversification. During inflationary periods, which we are no doubt going to experience in the next few years, people are looking to invest in hard assets. Art, like real estate, can be a means of beating inflation." Ed adds, "Despite being something we can enjoy everyday, fine art can also be a solid means of diversification. Historically the art market has always done favorably in times of recession, depression and war."

After asking Ed to share an exciting, recent acquisition, we see him in his role of personal shopper and friend. Ed says, "Last year I went to a small estate sale and the auctioneer held up an old painting that was torn, tattered and showed no artist signature—it looked like it had been in someone's basement for years. I took a chance and bought the painting. Once I got it home I started double checking for signature with my fingers crossed. I took it out of the frame and "bingo!" Along the stretcher behind the frame it was signed! I took the painting to New York for restoration and cleaning. The canvas was moved over to reveal the signature. I had bought the painting for a minimal amount, invested several thousand restoring it. I then offered it to one of my collector clients for a reasonable price. He now loves the painting and it recently appraised for $18,000. My collector client is very pleased." Well, we should think so!

Ed purchases most of his art from museums, private collections and estates, but he has three pieces of advice that everyone should consider when buying art: "Buy art only that you love and understand. Second, listen to Warren Buffett who says, 'Find a dealer you can have a relationship with and who is focused on educating you.' And, don't buy art on a cruise or vacation!"