Lydia Abbott

A specialist in Fine Art, Lydia acquired her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, Communications and Literature from McGill University, Montreal. She obtained a Master's of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Toronto where she specialized in both historical and contemporary Canadian art. Her research areas include the art market, Painters Eleven, Quebec modern art, and Canadian artists in Europe.

She has fifteen years of experience in the art auction industry, having held senior positions as a Regional Director and a Senior Art Specialist at two auction firms located in Montreal and Toronto.

In 2013, Lydia entered a partnership with Mayberry and colleague Rob Cowley to form Consignor Canadian Fine Art. The partnership created a stand-alone company, based in dedicated gallery space on Toronto's Dundas Street West, across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario. The new venture addressed the changing landscape within the Canadian auction industry, melding traditional and specialized client services with industry-leading technology. After six successful years of growth within the industry, Consignor was rebranded as Cowley Abbott. As a both a Principal and the Vice President of Cowley Abbott, Lydia's responsibilities include overseeing the management of the firm, focusing on the collection of consignments for fine art auctions as well as providing formal written appraisals. She has also contributed articles on Canadian art to a variety of publications and enjoys public speaking events where she discusses appraising and collecting art.

Lydia has completed appraisal courses through the International Society Appraisers, the largest professional association of personal property appraisers in North America. This training allows her to provide clients with formal appraisals written to ISA and USPAP (The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) standards, meeting the varying appraisal needs of the Canadian art industry.

Lydia offers professional consignment, appraisal and fine art consultation services in English and French.