VALLEY FORGE, PA — Discovering and collecting original artwork by African American artists will become more accessible to aspiring collectors when the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. launches a three-part virtual education series on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The opening session, “The ABCs of Art Collecting: What and How,” will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Zoom, bringing together an experienced art appraiser and a Montgomery County gallery owner to help participants understand how to begin collecting original artwork without exceeding their budgets.
The program is part of the chapter’s new Art Education Series, “Generating Wealth Through Art Collecting,” which explores the relationship between art appreciation, collecting, and long-term financial value.
Organized by the chapter’s Arts and Letters Committee in partnership with its Economic Development Committee, the series is designed for both first-time buyers and people interested in expanding existing collections.
The opening discussion will address fundamental questions about purchasing original artwork, including how to identify pieces worth considering, understand their value, and develop a collecting strategy that fits individual financial circumstances.
Local Art Experts Share Collecting Advice
Two speakers will lead the introductory conversation, offering perspectives from the art appraisal and gallery communities.
Kelly Cahn, an art advisor, curator and certified appraiser with 20 years of experience, will discuss identifying, selecting and evaluating original artwork.
Her presentation will help participants understand what to consider before making a purchase and how professional appraisals contribute to understanding an artwork’s value.
Joining Cahn is Dr. Robyn R. Jones, a retired physician, art enthusiast, and co-founder of Moody Jones Gallery in Glenside, Montgomery County.
Jones and her husband, Adrian Moody, established the gallery to connect artists with collectors and make original artwork more accessible to the community.
Her background also includes helping establish Art on 38 in Philadelphia before co-founding Moody Jones Gallery.
Jones will offer insight into gallery ownership, supporting artists and navigating the process of purchasing original works.
Together, the speakers will introduce participants to the practical considerations of art collecting while encouraging greater appreciation for African American artists.
Three Sessions Explore Art, Value and Collecting
The Oct. 25 program is the first of three educational sessions planned by the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter.
The second session, “What to Buy and Where?,” will feature local artists, art appraisers and curators discussing how to discover, select and purchase original artwork.
The third session, “Look What I Bought and What It’s Worth!,” will feature private art collectors in a virtual gallery experience showcasing collected works and their value.
Dates for the second and third sessions have not yet been announced.
The series is intended to help participants move from learning the fundamentals of art collecting to making informed purchases and understanding the value of the works they acquire.
By emphasizing African American artists, the chapter also hopes to introduce participants to creative work they may not have previously encountered.
Event Details
- What: “The ABCs of Art Collecting: What and How,” the opening session of the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter’s three-part Art Education Series, “Generating Wealth Through Art Collecting”
- When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time
- Where: Online via Zoom; no physical meeting location
- Cost/Tickets: Admission cost was not specified. Participants can join using the Zoom meeting information below.
- More Info: Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89052867465?pwd=PdU6GzgrpDUIzEPszw2qPlAm0DkMZv.1
- Meeting ID: 890 5286 7465
- Passcode: 251450
The Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter serves communities throughout Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery counties.
Its new Art Education Series combines cultural education with practical financial considerations, offering participants an opportunity to learn how original artwork can become part of their personal collections.
For anyone who has admired a painting in a gallery but wondered whether owning original art was realistic, Sunday’s discussion offers a starting point for exploring the possibilities.
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