Before founding Arête Logistics, we worked as independent contract drivers for a small regional "man-with-a-van" operation. From that experience, we received a crash course in exactly what not to do as a fine art shipping company.

Some of the problems were obvious from the start. Communication was poor. The level of service fell well short of what we'd expect from a company transporting high-value fine art. We found ourselves constantly trying to improve the client experience, often going above and beyond simply because we cared about the artwork and the people trusting us with it. Simultaniously realizing we weren't being treated or compensated accurately as independent contractors.

Our biggest red flag came after we learned of the company's commercial insurance liability (and lack thereof), and uncovered serious issues surrounding their legal compliance and by bypassing state and federal commercial transport rules and regulations. The more we uncovered, the more concerned we became about how those issues could affect not only the company, but especially its clients, the artwork it transported, and ultimately us as the drivers responsible for handling and transporting it.

Eventually, the issues compounded to the point where we knew we had to move on.

It would've been easy to walk away from the industry altogether. Instead, we started asking a different question:

How widespread is this?

As anyone starting a business should, we began researching our little niche industry, and before long we found ourselves deep down the rabbit hole that is fine art transportation. We dug into the laws that govern commercial transportation, particularly how those laws apply to fine art shipping, and we began researching every company we could find that offered fine art transportation throughout Colorado, the Mountain West, and eventually across the country.

What we uncovered shocked us.

It wasn't just one bad company. It was a pattern.

We found general household goods carriers advertising themselves as fine art specialists. Companies with little or no formal art handling experience. Businesses that seemed to stumble into the art world after discovering it could be a profitable niche. More concerning, we found company after company operating in ways that appeared to ignore the commercial transportation laws and regulations designed to protect customers, businesses, drivers, and the public.

The deeper we dug, the more we realized this wasn't simply about one bad employer. There was a much bigger problem.

It became apparent that many artists, galleries, collectors, and designers simply aren't familiar with the laws that regulate hiring commercial transportation companies. Somewhere along the way, parts of the fine art shipping industry drifted into a gray area where low prices often outweighed communication, professionalism, specialized handling, and legal compliance.

That's when we knew we wanted to be part of the solution.

We didn't start Arête Logistics because we thought the world needed another shipping company. We started it because we believed our region deserved a better option.

One built on communication.

One built on professionalism.

One built on transparency.

One that genuinely respects the artwork entrusted to it.

One that believes following the law isn't optional.

We recognize there's a place in the market for different levels of art shipping services and different price points. Not every shipment requires the same solution. At the same time, we don't believe companies investing in proper licensing, insurance, and quality service should have to compete against businesses that choose to operate illegally simply so they can undercut the market.

We also recognize that our services aren't for everyone, and that's okay.

We don't compete on price alone.

We compete on trust, relationships, communication, professionalism, and doing things the right way, even when it's harder.

Our goal is to fill the space between inexpensive, low-quality art shipping services and the large, industrial-scale fine art logistics companies. We offer concierge-style transportation with the personal service, direct communication, and attention to detail that we'd want if it were our own artwork.

Our clients aren't just shipment numbers or invoices. They're artists preparing for exhibitions, galleries welcoming new collections, designers creating beautiful spaces, and collectors trusting us with pieces that often carry both financial and sentimental value.

Those relationships mean everything to us, and they're the reason Arête Logistics exists.

We're always just a phone call, text, email, or DM away.