Liz Lidgett is an art gallery owner, advisor, and collector based in Des Moines, Iowa. She founded her first business as an art advisor in 2012 and quickly expanded to work with corporate headquarters, personal collections, restaurants, hotels, and public art projects. In 2015, she launched Adore Your Walls, an online art advisory product, and in 2016, the Des Moines Mural Project, which gave local artists an opportunity to paint the city. She opened Liz Lidgett Gallery in 2019 with a commitment to representing at least 50% women and minority artists. During the pandemic, Liz leveraged her social media presence to keep her “gallery doors open” and created an online platform to virtually display and ship the gallery’s art. Learn how Liz transforms spaces using art pieces in today’s Maker Monday.
Liz Lidgett’s passion for art allowed her to see that competent art consulting for private companies and corporations was a need that wasn’t being filled.
Andrew Joseph: You’re the newest Crayola color. What color are you and why?
Liz Lidgett: I’m a terracotta color called Auburn. I’ve always felt a special affinity towards being a redhead and would never change it. I’m always amazed at the drawings created by kids with a Crayola pack, and I’d love to see the art created with this color.
AJ: What would you like to be remembered for?
LL: First, I want to be remembered for leaving the world a little more beautiful than when I found it. My father has always talked about leaving places better than when he found them. Sometimes that means something as simple as fixing a doorknob in our house that he noticed was loose. I think about that same concept in terms of art and design. I know the firsthand effects that a beautiful home or street corner can create for a person’s life. If I can help to contribute to someone’s happiness through art, then I’ve done my job. Second, I want to be remembered for loving my family fiercely. I know that I can’t always change the whole world, but I know I can do it right at home, and that creates a ripple effect.
Since 2013, Liz’s business has grown and she recognized once again that online and national consulting – the type that exists for furniture and interior design – was completely absent for the world of art and has expanded her services, including gallery space.
AJ: What are you most proud of?
LL: I feel an immense amount of pride each month on payday when I am able to pay artists around the world. I love what I do as a gallery owner every day but sending those payments feels like the tangible effect of supporting artists. I want artists to be able to create full-time. I want to help eliminate the stereotype of the “starving artist.” Being an artist or working in the arts can be a rewarding and successful career and I want more artists in the world.
AJ: Style (or design) icon?
LL: Oh goodness! I have so many people I look to from both the past and now—Jenna Lyons, Blair Eadie, Princess Diana, Carolyn Bisette-Kennedy, Olympia Gayot, and Jamie Beck all for style!
AJ: What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) right now?
LL: I’m inspired by the stories behind the art. I love that clients are interested in connecting with the art on their walls. That’s why we focus so much on education at my gallery, because I want people to love the art they purchase. Your art collection can be an extension of your personal mission and values. Support artists and artwork that align with your values.
With her developed expertise, Adore Your Walls has evolved into her new brand: Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Within the rebrand, Liz continues to consult, partner with artists and regularly contribute to design publications across the country.
AJ: What might the design world look like in 10 years?
LL: My hope is that the industry is so much more diverse and because of that, a more inclusive and richer place to do business. We all benefit from different perspectives, and I think we will be a stronger industry as we continue to uplift unheard voices. Amazingly women artists account for just 14% of artists represented by galleries. This is one of the statistics that I am actively trying to change through the work at my gallery. I want to show that working equitably and ethically is good business.
About the Maker | With a master’s in Curatorial Practice and the Public Sphere from the University of Southern California, Liz Lidgett founded her first business as an art advisor in 2012 after working as an in-house curator for a corporate collection. Seeing the lack of corporate art advisory throughout the Midwest, Liz began working with several corporate headquarters on educating and curating art pieces for their spaces. Her business quickly expanded to work with personal collections, restaurants, hotels, and public art projects.
Liz is on a mission to change the narrative of the art industry as a whole—by advocating for the growth of women and minority artist representation and making art collecting accessible for anyone despite their budget. To make that vision possible, she opened Liz Lidgett Gallery in 2019. Fast forward through a pandemic, Liz leveraged her social media presence to keep her “gallery doors open.” By posting videos of the gallery’s artwork on her Instagram page, Liz has created an online platform to virtually display and ship the gallery’s art. Last year they shipped to over 45 states and 7 countries. She represents 50 national and international artists with a commitment to always represent at least 50% women and minority artists.
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