Cooperative
by
Design
Atthowe Fine Art Services is an employee-owned cooperative dedicated to the safe handling and conscientious stewardship of fine art and cultural objects. Our services include transportation, freight-forwarding, packing, crating, installation, storage, specialized rigging, project management, and large construction projects. Our commitment is rooted in professionalism, exceptional service, good citizenship, ethical practices, meaningful work, and a dedication to environmental responsibility.
THE
COOPERATIVE
Our cooperative structure is the best way to promote wealth equity and maintain a culture of stewardship within our business. It empowers us to properly care for our employees, clients, and the artwork and museum objects in our custody. With a strong sense of leadership and an ownership mentality, we're proud to have created a company with purpose.
“I'm proud to be part of a co-op that gives me the opportunity to be a dynamic part in the process of changing the artistic landscape of the Bay Area for the better. This company provides a unique blend of knowledge, challenges, and solutions to a wide range of creative endeavors.”
David Martin
Senior Project Manager, Special Project of Atthowe Fine Art Services
OUR
HISTORY
Four generations have operated under the Atthowe name with each one bringing their own focus to the company. First, it was a barge company handling freight from the long wharf in Berkeley in 1928. Then, in 1963, it transitioned to truck transportation moving all kinds of goods across California and beyond.
Finally, in 1971, Scott Atthowe purchased the company from his father and dedicated the business exclusively to the handling of fine art. Since then, Atthowe has built a reputation for storing, handling, and managing the Bay Area’s most prized art and installing the seemingly impossible.
In 2021, Scott realized his final dream for the company by converting it to a cooperative and selling it to his employees. The conversion was assisted by Project Equity, a leader in the growing movement for employee ownership. This remarkable commitment allows us to sustain our business long into the future while serving our clients, supporting our community, and providing stability for our dedicated employees.
Mission
AND Values
Our mission and values shape our interactions with every piece of art we handle, every client we serve, and every decision we make.