Maker Monday: An Aspire Exclusive Interview With Artistoric

Bridging the gap between art galleries and museums, Artistoric shares beautiful objects with meaningful historical research with the design community. Founders Michael Assis and Bailey Tichenor aim to bring a modern and seamless art-procuring experience to those wishing to create expressive spaces, specifically revolving around pre-1900 ceramics. Through the production of original scholarship, Artistoric seeks to establish the historical significance of the objects in its collection, and amplify their appreciation and value. Since forming in 2019, they have shared comprehensive research essays, online exhibitions and contributed a treasure trove to the art community. Introducing this week’s aspire design and home Maker Monday, Michael Assis and Bailey Tichenor of Artistoric.

Sitting stoically side by side, this pair of late 19th-century Neoclassical pottery candlesticks are by Pratt & Co.

Sitting stoically side by side, this pair of late 19th-century Neoclassical pottery candlesticks are by Pratt & Co.

Andrew Joseph: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
Michael: I think it’s less of a style than an ethos, which I wholly share with Artistoric. I like for my things to be emotionally or historically significant. I’d like for them to be able to tell a story or connect me to something greater than myself. I will also add that I’m a big tech geek, and am always looking for ways of making the house more digital, art included! Metaverse, here I come!

Gold rimmed and ready for treats, this set of Majolica dessert dishes date back to 1882. The set is by Wedgwood in the Japonisme-style ‘Lincoln’ pattern.

Gold rimmed and ready for treats, this set of Majolica dessert dishes date back to 1882. The set is by Wedgwood in the Japonisme-style ‘Lincoln’ pattern.

Andrew: If you could live in any home in a movie or television series, what would it be?
Bailey: I am obsessed with the midcentury New York City apartment in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The first time I saw it on screen, I thought to myself, “That is my dream home,” and I never even considered myself a fan of that time period before. It’s such a fresh and modern portrayal of the 1950s style that doesn’t look dated or kitschy. The set design team did a fantastic job.

Delicate yet sound, this still life of a blush porcelain pitcher made in 1890 by Royal Worcester seems too perfect to pour.

Delicate yet sound, this still life of a blush porcelain pitcher made in 1890 by Royal Worcester seems too perfect to pour.

Andrew: What’s your go-to snack between Zooms?
Michael: There are three tenets I live my life by: Pizza, Oreos (Double-Stuffed), and gummy bears. Though for obvious health reasons, my wife tries as hard as she can to diversify my diet.

Andrew: Has there been a shift in what clients are requesting post-covid?
Bailey: Clients are definitely moving more and more online and are also spending a lot of time on social media, and are raising their standards for those digital experiences. They’re looking for better photos, high-quality web experiences, and quick response times. A lot of our time at Artistoric is devoted to providing exactly that, and we truly believe it’s paying off.

A collection of Rosso Antico pottery by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons made circa 1810. The woven details and the way the red and black complement one another is simply unforgettable.

A collection of Rosso Antico pottery by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons made circa 1810. The woven details and the way the red and black complement one another is simply unforgettable.

Andrew: Where is the first place you want to travel now that everything is opening up?
Michael: England, for sure! In the past year, England has turned out to be an incredibly prominent part of our day to day. Bailey and I have been playing Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla on the Xbox, binging Downton Abbey, and a lot of the objects we’ve been collecting are English, not to mention our recent exhibition on majolica. I just really want to breathe in the air and experience all the settings in real life.

Andrew: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
Bailey: I started learning Hebrew on Duolingo. Yes, the Duolingo owl is vaguely threatening; But he’s helping me communicate with my in-laws.


About The Makers | Seeking to fulfill a lifelong dream to make an impact on the art world, husband and wife team Michael Assis and Bailey Tichenor founded Artistoric. Artistoric is an online gallery for historically significant works of art, bridging the gap between art galleries and museums by offering beautiful objects coupled with meaningful historical research. Their collection focuses on pre-1900 ceramics, a field with an increasing presence in the art world. Artistoric brings a modern and seamless art-buying experience to those wishing to create meaningful spaces. Bailey and Michael created the gallery with a like-minded academic approach to art history and material culture. The couple met during graduate school at Bard Graduate Center in NYC, where Bailey was completing her Master’s degree and Michael was writing his PhD. They married in 2019 and moved to the Miami area shortly after to found Artistoric. Now, they continue to do what they love best: diving into books and surrounding themselves with beautiful objects. 


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