About Cantor Fine Art + Management
Lawrence J. Cantor
I always had an affinity for the arts. I grew up in a part of Los Angeles very close to the arts district that was La Cienega Boulevard; better known as Gallery Row back in the 50’s and 60’s. One of my close friend’s parents owned one of the more recognized galleries on the boulevard where we would often hang out.
In 1975, a couple of years after I finished college (San Diego State University) I became the first outside salesperson for a large fine art publishing house in the Los Angeles area. I travelled all over the country opening new territories and hiring salespeople. The Southwest was on fire, especially Texas; I staked out a four-state area and moved from Los Angeles to Dallas in 1976 and set up a strategic central location in which to base my operation.
In 1986 I moved my family back to Los Angeles to run the day to day business and help prepare the company to be sold. By 1988, I accomplished my undertaking, and it was time to make a change.
I made a clean break and started to look at other opportunities in the marketplace. The 19th c., early 20th c. paintings market captured by interest. In 1990, my best friend in Dallas, who had been dealing in period paintings for over 20 years, and I became partners and launched our new company.
After a successful 22 year run it was time to change it up. By the end of 2012, I was bitten by the emerging artist market. I had made a trip to Miami to view the many venues that is known as Art Basel (December 2011), it captured my imagination. With all the ingredients of a new challenge; energy, creativity and a flourishing marketplace it seemed like a good fit. A little more than a year later I was putting together an artist stable and starting to market my new direction.
By 2020 at the age of 71, I decided to utilize my experience over the last 44 years and help position innovative art programs and artists that meet my high standards into relationships with fine art institutions all over the globe. The programs / artists I will be representing have a proven record of performance and will be an asset to any organization.