What would it feel like to say you owned, even partially, a painting by one of the most respected artists of all time? How would purchasing a piece by Basquiat or Warhol influence your investment portfolio, and your opportunities for wealth generation? These are the questions that Evan Beard aimed to answer when he joined the Masterworks team as an Executive Vice President, and with the recent launch of the Level & Co. gallery in New York, the answers are changing.

Over the years, Evan has made a name for himself as a pioneer in the ground-breaking space of art finance. His journey into the art investment landscape began more than a decade ago, at Deloitte, where he built an art financing department as a strategy manager for the team. 

Eventually, in 2016, Beard joined the Bank of America, as a Managing Director of National Art Services, and then the Head of Speciality Segments, before eventually pivoting into his EVP position with a company considered to be one of the most innovative brands in the art investment sector. 

Now, Beard is building on his experience with Masterworks, the growing fractional art investment platform, with a new venture, Level & Co. 

So, what can we expect from the next stage in the innovator’s career?

To answer that question, we need to take a closer look not just at the Level & Co. proposition, but at the Masterworks platform’s model, which has helped pave the way to the democratization of alternative investments.

Changing the Art Industry: An Introduction to Masterworks 

Even before joining the Masterworks team, Evan Beard was one of the first finance experts in our generation to truly understand the potential of art as an investment asset. However, it wasn’t until the launch of the Masterworks app in 2017, that he was able to start exploring new ways of bringing art opportunities to the masses. 

On the surface, the concept behind Masterworks is simple. It’s a fintech platform that allows people from anywhere in the world to make fractional investments in physical painting and artworks, produced by some of the best-known creators of all time. Based on its own data collection and analysis methods, the Masterworks team selects art pieces most likely to generate high returns for investors. 

After choosing and acquiring pieces, the team creates LLCs dedicated to each specific painting, then allowing platform members to buy shares in those LLCs. This means that when Masterworks eventually sells the art following a period of appreciation, every shareholder gets to split the profits. 

The idea is straightforward enough, but it represents a transformational step in investment history, changing blue-chip art into an accessible asset class for investors. Risks and profits are both pooled, allowing new art investors to dip their toes into the market at their own pace. 

Presenting an entirely novel concept to the financial landscape helped Masterworks to skyrocket in popularity within a relatively short space of time. The company raised an impressive $110 million in Series A funding during 2021, at a valuation of more than $1 billion, and today it has hundreds of paintings on offer.

Funding the Democratization of Art Investment 

Working with Masterworks clearly offered Evan Beard the ability to manifest new perspectives on the art landscape, and how companies can work with investors, large and small, to change the financial world. Adding fine art to an investment portfolio delivers a host of benefits, in the right circumstances. 

Not only does it assist investors in diversifying their portfolio beyond common options like bonds and stocks, but it also provides access to an “uncorrelated asset.” This means the value of art moves independently of the stock market, providing extra wealth protection in times of economic uncertainty. Indeed, blue-chip art has outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 250% since 2000, and is widely considered a less volatile, more reliable solution to the stock market. 

Although art might not deliver returns as quickly as some riskier assets, investors are also less likely to lose significant amounts of money, particularly when they’re investing in some of the greatest pieces ever produced. This is one of the reasons why Masterworks invests so much effort in identifying assets that are likely to grow in value over time. 

For instance, in 2019, the company acquired an iconic Mona Lisa painting produced by Banksy, and one year later, sold it for an annualized return of 32%. 

The Next Step for Evan Beard and Masterworks: Level & Co.

Evan Beard is now building on what he learned with the Masterworks company with the company’s new venture, Level & Co., in the Upper East Side of New York. 

The company aims to function somewhat like an “art market merchant bank,” according to the team. It’s named after the French financier, Andre Level, known for his investment collective, which traded in Matisse and Picasso paintings in the 20th century. 

Taking inspiration from both the success of Masterworks, and Level’s phenomenal results in the art investment world, Beard is building a new experience for art buyers as the President of Level & Co. Working alongside director Katherine Reid, he’ll be offering art collectors “discreet appointments” for curated viewings of blue-chip 20th century art pieces by creators such as Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat. 

The gallery aims to focus on post-war and contemporary works of art, valued at more than $1 million, and will be collaborating commercially with intermediaries such as art advisors, galleries, and auction houses. What’s more, Level & Co plans on leasing works from its collection to commercial exhibitions and museum shows going forward. It’s an intriguing new approach that bridges the virtual investment platform of Masterworks with the physical art gallery scene. 

It will be exciting to see what this new venture delivers to the art landscape as we know it, and how it will continue to grow in the months and years ahead.

In 2022, Gunnar Optiks joined forces with Marvel to create an innovative collection of eyewear designed to protect eyes from the harmful effects of the blue light emitted from digital screens. Eight frames were unveiled, inspired by iconic characters from the Marvel universe, such as Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Black Panther, and available for both kids and adults.

Lenses with Blue-Light-Blocking Superpowers

The Vision Council of America estimates that around 70% of adults in the US experience eyestrain as a direct consequence of the use of digital devices and the harmful blue light they emit, which can also disrupt our natural sleep cycle – and lower our mood and energy levels as a consequence.

The Gunnar Optiks Marvel collection of blue-light-blocking eyeglasses have been specifically designed to protect the eyes from blue light and promote better clarity, focus, and performance – and, of course, to celebrate our favorite heroes from the Marvel universe.

The Spider-Man Collection

The Enigma and the Cruz-Spider-Man-Miles Morales models, incorporating high-quality nylon frame materials, are on a mission to protect all eyes! The former has a wide fit and a fixed nose bridge, sturdy multi-barrel hinges, and anti-reflective lens coating and (like the majority of the eyewear in this collection) is available in the lens prescription range of -5 to +5. The latter is designed for kids aged twelve and upwards and boasts an amber lens tint, a wide format lens design for full coverage, and a smudge-resistant lens coating.

And younger superheroes don’t need to miss out. The Cruz Kids Large model is suitable for mini Spider-People between the ages of eight and twelve and has a hingeless design for superior flexibility and a curved nose rest for even weight distribution – meaning your kid will be comfortable wearing them all day long.

The Black Panther Collection

Ready to channel your inner warrior? Performance and protection combine in the three models in this collection. The Enigma Black Panther Edition model boasts distinctive purple and black frames with amber-tinted lenses. They block 100% of UVA and UVB light (as well as provide protection from blue light, of course) and incorporate Gunnar’s patented lens technology. 

For a more subtle look, opt for Mateo Black Panther Vibranium Edition glasses, with a thin purple and black metal rim, classic round shape, and keyhole bridge. They feature high-quality spring hinges, premium titanium lightweight frame material, and adjustable nose pads to enable you to achieve the very best comfort level and fit.

The purple-framed Cruz Black Panther Edition model has been designed for warriors aged twelve and upwards, has a low bridge fit, smudge-resistant lenses, and comes with a protective glasses case and clip.

The Stark Industries Collection

The perfect eyewear for a Stark Industries associate, the models in this collection boast lightweight stainless steel frames and a sleek design that Tony himself would be proud to wear. The Stark Industries Computer model allows you to opt for either a clear or amber lens tint – prescription lenses can be fitted if required. These eyeglasses come with an exclusive Stark Industries case, microfiber cleaning cloth, and pouch.

Or how about the Stark Industries Edition sunglasses? With their blue-tinted lenses that block 100% of UV light, a durable frame, and sturdy multi-barrel hinges, these shades are likely to be a great style investment.

Vintage Collectible Marvel Eyewear

And if you’re in the market to expand your Marvel merchandise and memorabilia collection with some vintage eyewear, there are plenty of options to choose from, like the rare Incredible Hulk kids’ sunglasses that came with an edition of the Marvel comic in 1978 or the red-framed Avengers-Spider-Man sunglasses from 1990. You may even be lucky enough to get your hands on the black-framed Wayfarer-style shades given away with the Mascara de Latex edition of the comic featuring Thor.

How About the Marvel Characters Who Wear Glasses?

It’s not just fans that wear Marvel glasses, the heroes and villains of its cinematic universe do, too. Daredevil, Cyclops, Hawkeye, and Blade are just a few examples of spectacle-sporting characters. Then there’s Kate Bishop, who appears in some of the Marvel comics, whose Clubmaster-style shades do nothing to detract from her archery, fencing, and martial arts skills.

Wonder Man, created by Stan Lee, first appeared in The Avengers #9 comic, wearing a pair of orange shades that were as slick as his superhuman skills, and Beast, who is a recurring character in the X-Men franchise, wears a small pair of rimless circular glasses to support his brain-busting work in the lab.

Marvel Glasses: Promoting Super Sight

If you’re looking for vintage Marvel eyeglasses to add to your collection, you won’t be disappointed by the range available – although expect to pay a significant sum for rarer items. However, if you’re seeking a pair of stylish new prescription spectacles or sunglasses that also express your love for the comics, then the range from Gunnar is likely to be perfect for you. 

Whether you want prescription specs for close work or your Marvel-loving child needs a pair of glasses that are as durable as they are comfortable, the range is comprehensive enough to see you right – literally.