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RENEE N. VARA CONDUCTS APPRAISERS ASSOCIATION LECTURE APRIL 7

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NEW YORK CITY — On Monday, April 7, the Appraisers Association of American, Inc (AAA) will present the fifth of six lectures in the 2007–2008 Freeman’s Lecture Series, with speaker Renee N. Vara, Vara Global Fine Arts, lecturing on the contemporary art market, focusing in particular on an overview of styles and trends among young artists, results of the auction market and how the landscape of collecting is changing due to new influences such as art fairs.

The lecture aims to provide the generalist with a basic framework and context for the historical, theoretical and economic valuation of contemporary artists by focusing on specific factors of valuation that challenge the general appraiser in the fast-paced and rapidly evolving world of contemporary art. Vara is an independent curator and advisor of contemporary art for private and corporate collectors.

She is an adjunct professor at New York University; she serves as an appointed lecturer at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York where she gives a lecture series on Twentieth Century, contemporary and emerging art within a global context. She has also been curator of many international shows, including the Ninth Istanbul Biennale.

Before becoming the CEO of Vara Global Fine Arts, Vara worked for Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. As the company’s national fine arts specialist and senior property appraiser, she shared her knowledge of the art market at venues, such as UBS Private Wealth Management and at international conferences, and has been extensively quoted in Forbes, The New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and has appeared on the TV show Antiques Show and Sell as the featured appraiser.

Her professional writings have been accepted at scholarly conferences and she has published numerous articles and catalog essays on topics such as Twentieth Century art, contemporary photography and women’s art and criticism.

The AAA is the oldest nonprofit professional association of personal property appraisers with more than 700 members in cities across the country as well as Canada, Europe and Asia. The AAA is a sponsor of The Appraisal Foundation and a member of The Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council; The Appraisal Foundation is authorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications and publishes the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, which is taught by AAA on an ongoing basis.

Lectures are sponsored by Freeman’s Auctions, and are held monthly at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, 20th Street between Irving Place and Park Avenue South. Jacket and tie required. Lectures begin a 6 pm; reception follows at 7 pm. AAA/ISA/ASA/RICS/NAC members free; general admission $15. For reservations, call 212-889-5404, extension 11.