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The Best Lesson I Learned on the Road as a Traveling Art Handler

Or, what to do when you think you've lost a Jasper Johns.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in August 2019. Not too long ago, I had a team of art handlers working for me that was made up of an interesting duo: they were brothers. Not only did they provide excellent client services, but rich entertainment as well. One of the brothers had pitched the idea of a reality show to a producer who then contacted me about the feasibility of filming while the duo was on the road. After consulting my friend and attorney, I gave the bad news to the film company. If they wanted to make a deal, they would need to buy my company from me, because for sure, the day after airing, I’d lose one client after another. This experience reminded me of some of the more regrettable moments I had on the road as an art handler before launching my own company, Atelier 4, and how sometimes it’s the fuck-ups that make for the best teachers.

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I was 23 years old when my best friend called me with a job listing he had just seen with my name all over it. Cross country driver for an independent art........

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