Emma Landis (B.A. '13) is the Founder and Principal of art consultancy firm Richan Art, based out of Toronto and Calgary.
Landis went on to pursue an M.A. in Visual Studies (Western University) and a Ph.D. in Art History & Visual Studies (University of Victoria, BC).
Still, her ties to Queen's run deep. Her father, Don Richan, was a University Archivist and Freedom of Information, Protection of Privacy Officer, and her mother, Beth Richan, is the director of Health Studies and Lecturer at the Bader International Study Centre at Herstmonceux Castle.
In her interview, Landis looks back at the beginnings of her passion for art, and credits her success with "a lot of drive."
Why did you pursue an Art History degree?
"My family moved to Kingston from Regina when I was five years old, and my first experiences with works of historical importance were at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre with my late father. Learning from his perspective as an archivist, I began to understand from a young age that art carries value beyond aesthetics. By the time I was a teenager I had also developed interests in politics, global development, and foreign languages, so I was excited to discover that Art History provided a unique platform for exploring each of these subjects and more."
What career paths did you envision after graduation?
"While I was still an undergraduate student at Queen’s University, I had imagined myself as an art dealer with a bricks-and-mortar gallery space. When I graduated, I moved to Toronto without much of a plan but a lot of drive. I was determined to gain as much experience in the field as possible, so I committed myself to working a full-time job during the week, a part-time job on the weekends, and volunteering in the evening. From all this exposure I learned how to best approach my nascent career goals."
What are some unexpected ways your Art History education has served you in your professional life?
"My first full-time job was in administration and marketing at an internationally recognized interior design firm. At the time I took the job, it was impossible for me to fully understand how rewarding the experience was going to be. In addition to gaining a new passion, I developed friendships and professional relationships that I maintain to this day. One relationship I fostered there even became one of my best clients years later when I launched my own art consultancy."
What advice would you give to current students of Art History at Queen’s?
"Stay curious, trust your intuition, and remember that the road to success is almost always non-linear."
