Art Shopping Network Impact Report
The Acquired Taste premiere was a proof-of-concept for a new model combining exhibition-making, live broadcast media, collecting, and fundraising.
Including four live auctions since 2020, Art Shopping Network has stewarded the sale and collection of 70 artworks, generating $28,487 in economic activity supporting artists, nonprofit organizations, and socially-conscious programming.
The pilot episode of Acquired Taste convened artists, collectors, community organizers, and media partners for two live auction sessions and accompanying happenings at HOMME in Washington, D.C.
Acquired Taste Auction Results
14 Artworks Collected
Fourteen artworks were welcomed into new collections during the premiere of Acquired Taste.
The auction high was Bennie Herron's Cover Your Head (2025), which sold for $1,200 at hammer. Mia Delores' High Hopes followed closely behind at $1,125, expressing strong collector interest in contemporary figurative painting.
Photography and street-based practices were also well represented. Joe Goldberg's award-winning photograph Monumental Snow sold for $350, while works by Washington, D.C. artists Steven M. Cummings, Divorce Culture, and Poppy Baker found new homes through the auction. Together, their five offered lots yielded $1,775 in hammer sales.
Steven M. Cummings, known for his recurring "Chocolate City RIP" self-portrait character, placed two archival works with collectors for $200 and $375, respectively. Divorce Culture's interventions on discarded movie posters and Poppy Baker's text-based works contributed to a strong showing for artists working across public space, language, and urban culture.
In addition to the 14 artworks collected, four custom airbrush works by Dieglo were commissioned during the exhibition, bringing the total number of collected artifacts to 18 and auction sales worth $5,800.
$3,480 Paid Directly to Artists
Artists participating in Acquired Taste received the majority share of each sale, retaining 60% of the hammer price.
Since 2020, Art Shopping Network has remitted $14,242 directly to artists, supporting painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors, multidisciplinary artists, and practitioners working in public space and experimental media.
Artist compensation remains central to the Art Shopping Network model, which prioritizes placing work with collectors while creating sustainable economic opportunities for artists.
$870 Donated to Nonprofit Partners
Proceeds from Acquired Taste supported four nonprofit and community-serving organizations advocating for arts, media, food security, family support, education, and immigrant rights:
Anacostia Arts Center
Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective
Martha's Table
WHUT-TV
Every sale supported these nonprofit beneficiaries and their ongoing efforts to strengthen communities throughout the Washington metropolitan region.
Since 2020, Art Shopping Network has contributed $8,255 to nonprofit organizations through auction-based fundraising.
Additional Collected Artifacts
Acquired Taste Publication 1
A limited-edition publication produced in conjunction with the Acquired Taste premiere, featuring commissioned writing and design, artist profiles, archival materials, and original editorial content.
Supporting featured artists Alexis Gomez and Shori Sims, the publication also included an essay by Poppy Baker, historical documentation from Art Shopping Network archives, and reflections on stewardship, collecting, and contemporary art.
Limited edition publication
14 copies collected
Edition of 50
Custom Airbrush Works by Dieglo
Four custom airbrush works were commissioned and collected during the exhibition weekend, extending the auction experience beyond the gallery walls through wearable art.
While there were lessons learned along the way, the program successfully placed artwork with new collectors, generated support for artists and nonprofit organizations, and demonstrated continued interest in alternative approaches to traditional gallery models.
Art Shopping Network remains committed to being The Best Place to Buy Art.