In the crowded and vibrant art scene of New York City, a logistics company is making a mark for its exceptional service, expertise, attention to detail and unparalleled dedication to customer satisfaction. 

With a small budget and big dreams, OTI Fine Art Services has managed to become a beacon of excellence in the highly competitive world of art logistics in the city that never sleeps.

The Birth of OTI

OTI was born from a shared vision of two Colombian immigrants, Mario and Albeiro, whose  journey began in New York in 2007. 

Albeiro was working for Going Art Movers, a respected company in the art handling industry where he learned all the necessary skills for handling art, thanks to his boss, another native Colombian whom to this day remains a mentor, a friend and a client. It was at Going Art Movers that Albeiro reconnected with Mario, a childhood friend who had just moved to the U.S. with the classic American Dream. Mario, a natural-born entrepreneur came with his own set of skills and they both cultivated their passion for art, recognizing there was a unique privilege in handling invaluable pieces of history.

In December 2018 and after what now seems a leap of faith, Mario and Albeiro decide to venture out on their own. Without a budget but with a lot of knowledge and skill they launched OTI Fine Art Services, with a mission of providing exceptional art handling services while breaking barriers for immigrants in an industry typically dominated by people who don’t look like them.

FUN FACT: The name ‘OTI’ comes from the nickname Mario gave his grandmother, Otilia, may she rest in peace.

DREAMING BIG ON A SMALL BUDGET

Coming from humble origins, working hard while also being nice and easy going, might have been the reason why Mario and Alberio got an incredible offer from Mr. DeLorenzo, who not only believed in them and trusted them with his valuable art from DeLorenzo Gallery, but he was also kind enough to give them a loan so they could purchase their first OTI van. It took a little over two weeks to find a decent one, the first of their fleet, which to this day is still roaming the streets of Miami (more on this later). 

Once they had a van and their first client, they leveraged the ingenuity and out-of-the-box thinking to devise innovative ways to promote the new brand and attract potential clients. 

One such instance was when they parked the new OTI branded van outside Gagosian Gallery during an opening day. Being one of the world's most prominent art galleries, they thought that just by being outside the gallery, they could connect the OTI brand with possible collectors who frequent Gagosian. The idea was to create buzz, turn some heads and attract the attention of potential clients.

This strategic placement worked better than the 5000 flyers they printed and distributed in high-traffic areas frequented by art enthusiasts, which gave them a return of net zero quality leads. Although the Gagosian stunt didn’t get them new clients right away, it did put the OTI name out there so they started getting recognized, later learning it was successful in giving trust to new clients to contacted them.

Understanding that brand visibility was very important, they then drove the van to Miami prior to Miami Art Week and used it as a mobile banner. This van is still around Miami, frequenting art exhibits, serving as a mobile banner while also transporting important pieces of art for our newly acquired clientele. 

OVERCOMING SKEPSTICISM 

Not everything has been easy and not every story is a happy one. Even with excellent work, highly competitive pricing, and skills, they've had to confront an industry that is widely known for being mostly white, which at the beginning was confusing for them, as they didn't understand there would be bias toward Latinos working in the NYC art industry. Today they have turned this bias around and have shown, with hard work and dedication, how being latinos is actually a great asset for art logistics, as they work harder, complain less, and do something that not everybody does; they leave the place immaculate, cleaner than how they found it. We go above and beyond. 

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND 

No task is too difficult when you are committed to the work you love. 

One notable achievement was the urgent handling of a 300-pound sculpture for an Art Basel showcase in Miami - a challenge deemed impossible by other peers in the industry. OTI had to get creative and bring backup, through an innovative approach and relentless determination, they meticulously accomplished the job and left spectators in awe.

OTI still travels to Miami every year for Miami Art week, Art Basel being one of the most challenging jobs as there is a lot of pressure in a limited amount of time, with people that not always measure the consequences of their decisions. Even so, Miami Art Week has always been fun and has brought many friends and new clients.

Going above and beyond is not only beneficial to OTI and their clients. They have shown others in the industry how to be creative while also maintaining the safety and efficacy of the job. Clients have repeatedly praised OTI’s style of work, committed, on point, friendly, safe and clean, a handful of qualities that are not commonly seen in art handling jobs. 

This is why today, OTI Fine Art Services is a trusted household name in the art logistics industry. Their commitment to quality service and the ability to handle challenging tasks have earned us prestigious gigs, such as projects for the Natural History Museum of Miami, and has placed their hands (with gloves, of course) on masterpieces to the likes of Picasso, Dali, Basquiat, Warhol, Hurst and many others. 

LOOKING AHEAD

As OTI looks to the future, it continues to expand its horizons. Soon to launch a new storage service, boasting a 15,000-square-meter warehouse specifically equipped for art storage. This has been a dream for OTI since its inception and is now within their grasp, a testament to their resilience, hard work, and dedication to their craft.

JOIN THE JOURNEY

OTI's inspiring journey is one of commitment, perseverance, and passion for art. 

Their story is one of overcoming obstacles, challenging stereotypes, and delivering excellence in every job they undertake.

If you are looking for expert art handlers who treat each piece with the care and respect it deserves, then OTI is your best choice. Be part of their journey. Request a quote today and experience the exceptional service that has made OTI a trusted name in the art handling industry.