"Collect works by live artists," says Dr David Holcombe; see the Holcombe collection and the Holcombe-curated NW La Triennial exhibit at Meadows Museum, Shreveport

NW La Triennial Show, Meadows Museum, Shreveport: curators David & Michelle Holcombe
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At Meadows Museum of Art, Shreveport, there are two exhibits that are amplified by a talk given by artist and curator Dr. David Holcombe.

Happily for the artists and collectors who couldn't be there, the talk was videotaped and transcribed by artist Kathryn Usher.

Holcombe's principles may not fall into the selling points for art that you've seen in orthodox rhetoric.

1. Original art is always better than a poster. Even bad original art is better than a poster.

"You'd be astonished," he said, "at the number of very fine homes of wealthy people who feature framed posters. The frame costing far more than the poster. Neither of them having great value."

2. You don't have to be rich to collect art. You just have to be attentive and interested.

"There's all kinds of art out there. There's outsider art and insider art. Student art. And more."

3. Never buy art as a financial investment. Art is a human investment.

"It's an investment in your happiness. In the artist's happiness."

4. We don't buy anything from dead artists.

"We like to know the artist. We like to have interaction. That's part of the exchange, not just of money and goods, but of social capital."

5. There's no one gold standard for art. We find that there are two common elements and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum. One is passion and one is technique.

"All along the spectrum between those two poles you can find things that are magical."

And viewers of the part of the Holcombe collection upstairs at Meadows will see examples of his principles.

6. When your house is full, don't stop buying.

"This one may be the most controversial, at least for my wife, Michelle. When I find a new piece that I want, my wife says, 'Where are you gonna put it?'" He says, "What happens is your tastes change, your income changes; there are numerous changes."

The Holcombe art on display at Meadows represents a small part of their collection. And in the larger Meadows exhibit, the NW La Triennial Competition, he was not the sole curator. Artist Maria Lopez was his co-curator.

Meadows is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

(318) 869-5040