MEET OUR SEASONED LEADERSHIP TEAM

Art Libera founded Eye for Art, now Design Commerce Agency, in 2000, to build bridges between creative designers and artisan producers and wider commercial markets. Art’s long involvement developing partnerships for Koroseal, one of the leading suppliers of wallcoverings to commercial markets, has positioned that company as a continuing industry innovator. Since 1999, Art has introduced Evans & Brown, Sondra Alexander, Anya Larkin, Maya Romanoff, Mark Pollack and Roger Thomas to the company’s “Studios” designer line, where they joined Arté and other names in offering uniquely stylish choices to Koroseal’s markets. He has worked with Koroseal’s sales and marketing organizations to educate sales representatives and customers. He also brought rising star Tracy Reinberg into Koroseal’s line-up. More recently, clients Oren Sherman and Fromental have joined Evans & Brown in launching the company’s “Digital Studios.”

In 2006, Art became Managing Director of The Roger Thomas Collection. Working with the Wynn Resorts designer, he developed a range of nearly two dozen more partnerships in sectors ranging from luxury furniture to precious jewelry. The agency has also developed opportunities for other designers including Lori Weitzner, Jonathan Browning, Vicente Wolf and Todd-Avery Lenahan.

Art studied hospitality management at California State Polytechnic Institute, then moved to New York and worked at the celebrated ’21’ Club. He returned to California as managing partner at Etienne Associates, a luxury-home project manager working in Marin County and on the Monterey Peninsula. From 1992, as National Sales Manager for Evans & Brown, known for custom murals, he created a new licensing business for the San Francisco company. That success inspired the wider vision that continues to sustain Design Commerce Agency’s growth and commitment.

Bryan Calkins joined Design Commerce Agency because he loves helping innovative design-oriented companies grow, and believes that the revolution occurring in online marketing, social media, and retail presents significant business opportunities. Bryan previously held a series of senior management and external consulting roles supporting the growth of small companies. Past emerging-brand clients include Jonathan Browning Studios, Hudson Grace (acquired by Crate & Barrel in 2019), and McEvoy Ranch. Larger clients needing retail-centric technology consulting include VeriFone and Wells Fargo. Bryan has also worked for several venture capital-backed start-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.

His keen interest in retail stems from playing key management roles earlier in his career at Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, and online pioneer eToys.com. Bryan’s responsibilities have often included e-commerce product management, website and mobile app user interface design, and online marketing strategy and execution. Bryan began his career working in the high-tech sector at Electronic Data Systems (now part of HP), delivering enterprise-level IT software and services to Fortune 100 companies. He holds a B.S. degree in Engineering from Michigan Tech University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Jo Ann Richards is the Director of Finance and Accounting, and works closely with Art and Bryan to keep the money side of things squared away and moving forward.  She is especially helpful to DCA at the end of each quarter, when royalty compensation reports and payments are due for each of our clients who have active design licensing programs.