Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurizio Schaltegger.
Hi Maurizio, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never wanted to live a life that felt routine. I saw too many people spending decades in jobs they didn’t love, just waiting for the weekend to feel alive. That was never going to be
me. At least not anymore. I wanted ownership of my time, my direction, and my ceiling.
A big part of that mindset came from my uncle back in Switzerland, where I was born and raised. He started with nothing. No safety net, no connections – and built a successful business from the ground up. Watching him taught me what courage and consistency can
build. It wasn’t about luck; it was about showing up every day, especially when things got tough.
That same mentality is what led me to create MTX Art Agency. I wanted to build something that redefined how art is represented and valued. Too many talented artists struggle to find
the right doors, and too many galleries overlook genuine, fresh work. I knew I could bridge that gap.
My path to this point wasn’t linear. Before entering the art world, I worked in law enforcement and winemaking back in the old country – fields that demanded discipline, endurance, and intuition. Those experiences became the foundation of how I run my
agency. I follow my gut, because the head can overthink and the heart can overfeel. But the gut knows, it’s never led me wrong.
Following the success of our main agency in Switzerland, expanding to Texas felt like a natural step. It became the perfect home for our American branch. Texas embodies everything we stand for: resilience, openness, and individuality. The art community here is
alive with collaboration and diversity. It’s not about competing; it’s about building
something together. That’s rare.
Building my agency has been about turning a vision into reality. Not by chasing trends, but by creating lasting connections between artists, collectors, and galleries around the world.
Consistency and authenticity are everything to me. I don’t pretend to be something I’m not,
and I never make promises I can’t keep. I don’t try to be everything to everyone. Artists, collectors, and galleries
know they can rely on me, and that trust is everything in this business.
For me, my balance isn’t about stepping away from work, it’s about being in rhythm with it.
My business doesn’t drain me, it centers me, and It’s not something I endure.
There are two
quotes that are very close to heart for me:
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”
Staying in a safe zone may feel secure, but we are meant to explore, build and make
an impact. It’s always better to take the risk rather than to stay docked and wonder
“what if.”
The other quote is:
“Be the man your dream needs you to be, not the man the past wants you to
stay.”
We often get stuck in who we used to be. But this quote reminds me to focus on who
I’m becoming. It challenges me to grow into the person I need to become in order to
achieve my visions and my dreams, and not to let past experiences, failures or even
identities hold me back.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m deeply grateful for all the good things in my life. I’ve lived through plenty of them, but also through many hardships and struggles.
There were times when there was no one else to count on – only myself. Those moments tested me, but they also built me. They’re the reason I never take anything for granted.
The art world can be unpredictable. One day you’re in high demand, the next you’re waiting for responses.
The hardest part isn’t opportunity; it’s endurance. Staying consistent when
the results aren’t immediate, and keeping your standards high in a world that often chases shortcuts.
What I’ve learned is that patience and clarity always win. Growth demands movement, and risk is part of the voyage.
We’ve been impressed with MTX Art Agency, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MTX Art Agency represents a small, carefully curated roster of contemporary artists from
Europe and the United States.
I don’t believe in having dozens of names just to look busy. I believe in giving every artist the time, energy, and commitment they deserve. We build
bridges between artists, galleries, and collectors, and create relationships that last.
Our mission is simple: connect the right art with the right audience, and most importantly, to help bringing our artists’ visions to life.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m drawn to stories about courage, discovery, and building something from nothing. Brian Buffini’s “The Emigrant Edge: How to Make It Big in America” is probably the most important
book I’ve ever read. It captures the mindset and grit required to start from zero and create opportunity through vision and perseverance.
The American Dream comes with a price. But if you’re willing to pay it, the rewards are beyond anything you could ever imagine.
I’ve also always admired the spirit of exploration in Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea” and the determination and leadership in Theodore Roosevelt’s biography. Each of these stories reminds me that growth comes from curiosity, discipline, and the will to act –
even when the path isn’t clear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mtxartagency.com
- Instagram: mtx.artagency
