Are you a visual artist who is interested in gallery representation?
About this event
Join us for a panel discussion with gallery owners, curators and artists as they provide practical advice on what galleries look for when deciding to represent an artist.
When artists seek gallery representation, it can be a daunting process. How much work should you have? How do I approach the gallery? How do galleries find artists? Join these gallery representatives who will discuss these questions and more as they share their experiences and expertise on what galleries want from artists..
This free panel discussion will be held over Zoom and you will receive login information after registration. Participants will also have a chance to ask our panel your questions (as time allows).
About The Panelists:
Dara Baldwin is a Durham native and graduated from Durham School of the Arts in 2012. Dara has been working with DAG since 2017 as a volunteer, then was hired by DAG as Gallery Assistant in 2019, after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Art History. Currently Dara is pursuing a M.A.T. in Special Education from North Carolina Central University and hopes to combine the two subjects improving accessibility at DAG and beyond. In her current role as the Durham Art Guild’s Gallery Coordinator, Dara is the main contact for all exhibition scheduling, artwork purchases and installation at DAG galleries and Art@Work locations. https://durhamartguild.org/
Caitlin Cary is a Raleigh-based fiber artist, musician and gallery owner. Her unique fabric collages have been collected and exhibited nationally. Cary is the owner and curator of The Pocket Gallery, where she shows her own work as well as representing and promoting the work of numerous Triangle area Artists. Cary was an artist in residency at Artspace from 2015 - 2020, and served on its board from 2016-2020. She currently serves on the board of the Longleaf School of the Arts. https://www.thepocketraleigh.com/
Wendy Kesterson is partner at the Centerpiece Gallery, Raleigh, NC, along with her brother Ken Kesterson. Wendy majored in Environmental Engineering with an emphasis on Healthcare Studies and also holds an MBA. Wendy’s experience in the art industry spans over 20 years; she began her career in the arts in 1996. Her focus includes gallery operations, managing sales; including corporate sales, collaborating on gallery shows and curation as well as the delivery and installation of artwork. Wendy also serves as a consultant for a number of healthcare systems. Wendy purchased The Centerpiece in 2017; the gallery is 2nd generation, family-owned and operated art gallery originally established in 1988. The Centerpiece Gallery showcases local as well as renowned artists. The gallery focuses on residential and corporate collections, as well as custom, conservation-grade framing. https://www.thecenterpiece.com/
James Lamantia is the Co-Owner of LaMantia Galleries, with locations in NY, NC, and Fl. His career in the fine art world started as a young man as he was inspired by his family which was made up of artists and musicians. James graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BFA. While exhibiting his work in both New York and Long Island, he was the Gallery Director for a Fine Art Gallery in Manhattan for 5 years. He opened his first gallery at 26. He has had articles published, has been regularly quoted in trade magazines, and was proud when the gallery was voted “The #1 Gallery in the Nation for Retail Excellence” by Décor Magazine in 2005. While successful in business, James is also involved in many community projects and is most proud of being the VP for Gift of Life International. James is a Raleigh Rotarian and currently resides and manages the Raleigh, NC location. https://www.lamantiagallery.com/
Angela Lombardi (Moderator) is the Director of Outreach and Audience Engagement at the North Carolina Museum of Art where she leads a dynamic team of programmers who create public events for all ages. With a focus on amplifying the talents of local artists, she engages young people in rural communities across NC through NCMA’s signature outreach project, the Artist Innovation Mentorship Program. Lombardi works closely with the Museum’s community Advocacy Committee, as well as serving as co-leader of the internal staff Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility task force for two years. Lombardi is the Vice Chair of the City of Raleigh Public Art and Design Board and maintains an active artistic practice. She comes to her museum career by way of studio art, graduating from Hunter College in New York. She continued her training in academic drawing and sculpture at the Florence Academy of Art. Upon moving to North Carolina in 2006, she worked as a teaching artist and started a mobile studio camp for middle school students as well as creating educational programming directly with artists for four years as manager of education and outreach at Artspace in downtown Raleigh.