The ongoing mission is to create global connection by collaborating with specialists from all branches of the arts. Through educational tours, networking events, and webinars led by our experts and connoisseurs, members are inspired to experience the new and undiscovered avenues in the arts. Our goal is to educate and elevate with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rapidly changing landscape in the arts today.
Founding Director of DG Arts, Louise Devenish has been a venerated professor and certified appraiser for the past twenty years, specializing in Fine and Decorative Arts from the 16th century through the present. She is a prominent member of the arts community and has taught extensively both at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through New York University, and Parsons School of Design as the instructor and creator of the “Antiques Connoisseurship" and "New York Collections and Exhibitions" classes. She is a certified member in good standing of the Appraisers Association of America, and is presently teaching future appraisers at The Appraisal Institute.
Louise is known for her exclusive tours to notable art fairs in the New York area. She is especially proud of young interior designers who have experienced the joy of expanding their education in the arts via her mentored excursions. These tours known as "mini-sessions" include trips to the TEFAF shows and seasonal exhibitions such as ''Asia Week" at Christie's and Sotheby's and The Winter Show. Ask anyone who has attended one of her lectures or salons. It is for sure you'll be told she is not only a brilliant teacher and expert, but she is also fun!
She was the keynote speaker at The International Antiques Fair in Chicago, sponsored by CINOA and Baker Furniture, guest speaker at The Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT for The Antiques Society on ‘The Enduring Legacy of Irish Craftsmen on American Furniture’, and participated in the International Confederation of Antique Dealers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has also appeared on television as a guest panelist to appraise art and antiques.
In her role as a specialist appraiser, Ms. Devenish was selected to appraise the drawings of George Nakashima for the book “The Soul of a Tree”, now in the collection of The Michener Art Museum in Pennsylvania. She also established values for Decorative Arts in the Detroit Institute of Arts collection as the city went through bankruptcy proceedings. This evaluation contributed towards the Institute’s collections remaining permanently intact for future generation to enjoy.
Ms. Devenish was a proprietor of one of New York's most prominent Madison Avenue antiques stores, where she sold to collectors, private art institutions and museums. She was also full-time consultant for 1stDibs.com, an online marketplace for antiques and fine arts dealers. She presently appraises and curates private collections and purchases furniture and paintings for clients, as well as negotiating sales of property and artworks.
Despite her many accolades and accomplishments, Ms. Devenish is most proud of her vast and growing associations and friendships with her students, colleagues and enthusiasts of the Fine and Decorative Arts. Her infectious and marvelous charisma and elucidation of the arts are open to all via – Virtual (online) and In-person educational mediums, inside and out of the classroom. DG Arts invites you to regularly visit its site for information on its newest events and opportunities, and for notices of her expert-guided tours. We hope to see you soon