2026 Lunch & Learn
Treasure or Trouble
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Friends of the Art Foundation, collectors and art lovers gathered for an insightful talk followed by lunch at the Santa Barbara Club featuring Joe Baratta SVP, Head of Trusts & Estates, North America and Kathy Wong, Sr. Director of American Art, Bonhams, based in L.A. Bonhams, founded in 1793, is the 4th largest auction house in the world. Of note, according to Baratta and Wong, Bonhams, along with its predecessor Butterfield’s, established a market for California art starting with a 1980’s sale of California paintings, developing and leading the market with rising prices and securing a place for California artists, beyond a regional category, in the greater context of American art history.
In addition to current art market trends, Joe and Kathy spoke about “Treasure or Trouble” - what to consider with your own collection or family heirlooms, along with pitfalls and best practices. A highlight was the story of Roy Rose, grandnephew of impressionist artist Guy Rose, one of the foremost CA impressionist painters in the late 19th & early 20th century – and how he built a meaningful collection and legacy. His two takeaways:
“Never buy art for an investment; buy it because you love it and want to live with it.”
“There is a vast difference between a collection and an accumulation.”
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