Vanessa Elmore
"I would like to express my gratitude to the Foundation for Appraisal Education for choosing to award me their 2014 Scholarship in the New Appraiser category. I am thrilled and honored at the recognition and am eager to use the award to further enhance my education towards becoming a well-rounded and deeply knowledgeable professional fine art appraiser.
Earlier this year, I became a member of the International Society of Appraisers and then subsequently, launched my own business, Elmore Art Appraisals, which offers appraisals for fine art with a specialization in American Indian Art. I have 16 years of experience working within the antique and contemporary American Indian Art market, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and have undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art History, concentrating on Art of the Americas.
I am quite confident that this scholarship, that is to be applied to the Fine Arts Appraisal Course as offered through ISA, will not only be a welcome challenge but a highly rewarding experience. Thank you, again, to the FAE for encouraging me to continue towards my goal of becoming a leader in our field by providing a high-standard of excellence through the demonstration of expert connoisseurship skills."
Emma Frank
"After working in the arts sector for many years and recently completing a Master’s degree in Art History at York University, I am now very pleased to be part of the International Art department at Waddington’s auction in Toronto.
I truly enjoy working in the fast-paced auction industry, situated in the heart of the ever-changing art market and surrounded by an almost constant influx of paintings, sculpture, prints and drawings from both Canada and abroad.
The material covered in the International Appraisal Society’s Core Course in Appraisal Studies has proven highly useful in my current position and has also helped me to establish an essential foundation of professional standards as I continue to build my appraisal portfolio and practice. It has also opened up a wonderful community and professional network outside of the workplace. I sincerely thank the Foundation for Appraisal Education for awarding me the “New Appraiser” scholarship, which has allowed me to pursue this valuable educational opportunity."
Rachel Storey
"I am beyond happy to have received this scholarship and very appreciative. I would like to thank the Foundation for Appraisal Education for their help in continuing my education.
Working for the family business Storey’s Auctioneers & Appraisers in London, ON I have been interested in the business since I was a child and look forward to having a career there. In 2009 I took the necessary steps to become a certified auctioneer. I then continued my education by getting my business degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2013. Lastly, in 2014 I have completed my core course in Appraisal Studies.
Again, thank you so much and I look forward to using the scholarship to further my appraisal education."
Darlene Wong
"It is with immense gratitude and thanks that I accept this generous scholarship for “Experienced Appraiser” from the Foundation for Appraisal Education. This award will be used to take the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors’ (NAWCC) watch valuation course in 2015.
I first became aware of this organization when I took ISA’s webinar on “Fundamentals of Watch Appraising” presented by Joe Cohen in 2011. My interest in antique, period jewellery and watches was first stoked when I worked for an estate retailer in the early 1990’s. As I was exposed to estate jewellery and the fascinations of provenance and jewellery design, my interest became a passion, a passion that fueled my future career and studies in gemmology with the Canadian Gemmological Association (CGA) and later in appraisal studies with both the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and Registered Master Valuer Program (RMVP). Eventually in 2005 I founded my own practice, Brilliant Evaluations & Appraisals to provide independent evaluations & appraisal services to the public and the other business organizations.
Through the 2000’s I practiced as a gems & jewellery appraiser but I felt a void in my formal knowledge of pocket & wristwatches. The study of time pieces is an entirely separate field from estate jewellery and cannot be learned from only reading textbooks alone. Even before my education I had always been drawn to pocket & wristwatches. I was utterly enthralled by their individual, unique mechanical movements paired with the variety of complex complications, casings, styles, and materials. The ISA webinar I took showed me that NAWCC’s watch valuation course would be integral to rounding out my skill set and broadening the services I can offer my clients.
Education is an important foundation to any business no matter what your specialty is. I look forward to adding my watch valuation skills to my repertoire as a gems & jewellery expert."