Bradford J. Salamon's extensive series of paintings and their collective title "Orange County Tastemakers" were inspired by "Making Taste," an article by Jed Perl that appeared in The New Republic on February 4, 2002. In it, Perl reviewed four books about individuals whom he dubbed tastemakers, Alfred Barr and Peggy Guggenheim among them. At the end of the piece, Perl expressed serious doubt whether anyone could wield the same type of influence over cultural taste today. Perl conveyed and impression that because of today's trends in marketing art, a gallery or museum might be more interested in reaching an existing audience rather than educating and developing a new collector base. This led us to speculate whether there are individuals on the Orange County art scene that could have a similar impact on taste today and the manner in which they might revolutionize it.

As a gallery owner more concerned with the education and sophistication of the collecting audience than with financial figures, I believe it is still possible for someone to have such an effect on culture. Bradford and I discussed the people who have been and still are instrumental in the continued growth and vitality of the art scene, and the concept of producing a drawn or painted tribute to all that put their heart and soul, their faith, their time and their money into the service of art was born. While they may not be remembered quite like a Peggy Guggenheim or an Alfred Bar, their sincerity, dedication and vision is equally credit worthy. It is a true privilege to have been part of the artistic dialogue with Bradford and to count myself among those whose passion for art puts them into this select and growing group of people making a difference.