Art
The dollar amount has nothing to do with art. Just because SW makes one model of cue and makes people wait forever for it, doesnt make it art. Its scarcity does make it more valuable.
Art is in the eye of the beholder, and originality. I have seen some customs under 1k that I would consider art, and have seen cues over 1k that look like a wrapless mcdermott. Its all subjective.
That being said, people who innovate a design, the willie hoppe cues, early brunswicks are definitely art.
This is just my opinion, as all definitions of art of opinion.
JM