Miriam L. Smith
fine art and appraisal services since 1984

ART RESOURCE GROUP ASSOCIATES

  • Nora Desruisseaux

    Nora Desruisseaux graduated with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her B.A. in the History of Art. While at Berkeley, Nora wrote her undergraduate thesis on the historical and artistic significance of the neo-impressionist, or pointillist, movement in turn-of-the-century Europe. She also wrote a guide to the research of artworks, which was published by the Library, University of California, Berkeley and may be accessed online: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/ARTH/researchartwork.html.

    Nora worked for four years at Clars Auction Gallery, a Bay Area regional auction house, where she started as an intern and was eventually promoted to head of the fine art department. Her time at Clars, preparing for monthly estate sales and weekly public appraisal clinics, provided her with significant experience handling, researching and appraising a wide variety of artworks.

    At Art Resource Group, Nora works closely with Ms. Smith as an art advisor and art appraiser.

    Nora Desruisseaux is a member of ArtTableNora Desruiseaux is a member of ArtTable.

  • Karen Wray

    Karen Wray holds a degree in Communications from Cal State Long Beach and is co-founder of Panndora Productions, a production theatre company.  She has been active in Long Beach Playhouse, and has been part of the Orange County Radio Players and staged readings for the advanced playwriting class at South Coast Repertory, where she also graduated from the Professional Conservatory. 

    At Art Resource Group, Karen assists with appraisal and consulting projects and serves as archivist and office manager.


  • Melissa Tominac

    Melissa Tominac is a graduate of Columbia University in New York City, NY where she received her B.A. in Art History. During the ten years that Melissa was living in New York, she worked for well respected galleries that are leaders in the field of contemporary art. Melissa's background has a specific emphasis on the secondary market for modern and contemporary art, and included producing appraisals of important art collections. Melissa also had the opportunity to work for Sotheby's, New York in their online auction department as a summer associate during her undergraduate education. Melissa's travels for work included regular trips to Art Basel in Switzerland, Art Basel in Miami Beach and London to keep current on the art market and the auctions.

    At Art Resource Group, Melissa works in our New York and London offices and is available for art advising, appraisal evaluations, inspection and bidding at auction on your behalf . 


  • James Lodge

    1929 - 2011

    I feel so very fortunate to have worked with and for my colleague and friend, Dr. James Lodge, for over 35 years, first as an Associate with his art consulting firm of James Lodge and Associates and later when James joined Art Resource Group as an advisor from 2007 to 2011. 
    - Miriam L. Smith

    Art Advisor James Lodge brought many years of experience as an advisor in 20th century American modern and contemporary art, specifically the halcyon period from the 1930s through the Post-War period. Several notable artists from this era became his personal friends.

    A graduate of Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Lodge eschewed a successful medical practice of many years in order to devote himself to his life-long passion for the visual arts. His knowledge of art history and his role as Art Advisor with the Art Resource Group allowed us to offer an expanded range of art styles and periods. He worked with many clients in forming important and enjoyable collections nationally, and his personal relationships with galleries, dealers and art professionals on both coasts were an important asset to the Art Resource Group.

login to art resource group