Meet Jock Armour | Art Gallery Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jock Armour and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jock, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Where are you from has always been a question that gets a long winded answer…born in Vegas, moved to Scotland from first grade till 4th, then Ohio for most of my formative years. I believe this travel early on helped form an appreciation for the size of our world and a appreciation for my place in it. Born into a family of doctors and professional golfers I followed what felt like my destined path through school with the intention of becoming a lawyer. The summer before law school was to begin I took a trip to Hawaii where I found myself struggling with the idea of starting a career I had no passion for and trying to silence the artist soul inside that grew louder as the summer came to an end. To remember my trip I bought a glass sculpture in an art gallery I frequented and commented to the art consultant how lucky she was to work in such a noble career by bringing art into peoples lives. She happened to be the director and offered me a job helping her out for the remaining 3 weeks of my trip. When it was time to head back and reality was calling, I decided I want to take a chance and stay there doing something I loved. weeks turned to months turned to years and I became gallery director of three separate locations within the company and never looked back. By appreciating my place in this big world I was able to see a path of passion for my vocation as the most successful path one can take.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to think my career was happenstance or a random pivot in my adult life but the truth is I think it was inevitable. The person I became by virtue of the way I was raised was always destined to pursue a career helping people come together. I have experienced the unifying qualities that connect us all by living in so many different places and am excited every day to watch people connect with the artwork in the gallery. My philosophy as a gallery director is to get out of the way and let the art speak for itself. There are so many bad actors in the art world who tend to distance the collector from the art by talking about themselves or overcomplicating a process that is as simple as falling in love. I want people to feel welcome to come view the art as much as I want artists to feel confident I will represent their vision and relay their story in the way they intend. There is a fine line between helpful and pushy and I try to be mindful of that line with every single person that comes in…the client from Japan might prefer a more direct and minimal presentation than the big family from Texas that wants a little story telling and back slapping! It all makes a difference when showing artwork because you as the director or art consultant have a job to do, and will be a part of that clients story when they retell to their family and friends the experience they had when they bought that artwork.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have to answer this as a two parter… if you are asking about my current city of Sarasota Florida I would we would start the adventure with a bike ride over the bridge to Lido beach, and spend the day on the #1 rated beach in the USA! weekdays would be spent driving to the many gulf coast beach towns and eating seafood along with a cocktail for sunset. Friday night would be the time to dress up and do the art walk down Palm ave, where my gallery is located and after listen to some live music by the water.
If we could go back in time this time last year it would be a trip to Lahaina, Maui where my gallery was located which burned in the August 8th wildfires along with my whole community. I would take them to the heart of front street and on an early morning whale watch to see the humpback whales and dolphins play in calm morning waters. We’d get off the boat and grab a beer under the famous banyan tree which was always alive with pop up artist painting under the orchestra of birds who called the canopy home. We would walk down front street and stop in my gallery I directed for 8 years, bring my crew some gelato and then head down the famous street hitting every gallery and bar along the way. We would end at the rooftop of Mick Fleetwoods restaurant and watch the sun set on this beautiful island paradise. I would love to go back and live that day over and over again.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family deserves a shout out for who I am today. My mother is an artist at heart, she taught me to always see the beauty in people, places, things, and myself, As the youngest in a family of successful doctors and pro golfers, my brothers always provided a good example of hard work and discipline which has helped me stay focused throughout my career. My father, one of the most respected surgeons in Las Vegas, gave me the unspoken permission to follow my heart by always supporting the path I chose. He was careful to not push medicine, sports, or law into his hopes for me as he saw the artist inside. By letting me find it myself he let me become my own man rather than be molded into one.

Website: https://www.milanartgallery.com

Instagram: @jockaarmour

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jock.armour

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jockaarmour?si=4FYavJi4j40a0hQg