We want to see your work and bring you into our network. 1
Ki Smith Gallery has always had a keen interest in finding new talent and using exhibitions as a means to bring artists into our fold to create long lasting relationships. Due to the overwhelming interest from incredible artists to build new relationships we are thrilled to finally opening up our program to accepting applications and properly reviewing portfolios. It is our wish that this exhibition will not only expand our network but also be an incredible platform to shine light on exciting new talent and allow them the opportunity to network with our clients and community.
We want to make sure to connect with and reward as many of the talented artists as possible so we will be opening up both floors of exhibition space for this exhibition and rewarding 6 -10 artists with the chance to show and be brought into our program. All selected artists will be rewarded a personal studio visit (or Zoom studio visit if your studio is not in the New York area) with the gallery owner. The Exhibition will be listed in print in Artforum along with the full names of all the participating artists. Each of the participating artists will be given a minimum of one dedicated post on our instagram and all exhibiting artists will be mentioned in official exhibition announcement and press release that will be sent to our full list of 5000+ contacts. The gallery will also select one of the artists that is picked for this group exhibition to have a solo exhibition in 2024. This artists will be picked at the end of the exhibition after a full evaluation of the exhibiting artists has been made.
We will additionally be inviting every artists that applies to a private reception where they will get to meet the gallery owner as well as the panel of esteemed judges that we will be announcing in March. This reception will be an opportunity to meet the judges and see the gallery before the selection of artists for the exhibition is picked. The panel of judges will be made up of gallery owners, curators, advisors and directors all with a keen interest in meeting the exciting network of artists that apply.
Finally as a gesture of gratitude for taking the time too apply Ki Smith Gallery has decided to give a dedicated instagram story shot out to every artist that applies to be part of the exhibition!
The exhibitions will run from August 10th - September 3rd with a grand opening on August 12th.
All applications must be submitted by April 30th.
Looking forward to meeting!
- Ki
Meet The Judges and Curator
Akeem K. Duncan
Judge #1
Marina Granger
Judge #2
Maryana Kaliner
Judge #3
Natasha Roberts
Curator
Akeem K. Duncan is the founder and Editor in Chief of Quiet Lunch, an arts and culture media platform established in 2010. As an experienced curator he has organized both solo and group exhibitions at numerous galleries in Chelsea, Harlem, Bushwick and Lower Manhattan. In addition to being a staple within New York art culture, he is an established writer, poet and a publisher. He is well known throughout the art community as someone who shines a sincere and intuitive light on both well known artists and upcoming future legends. Having worked with renowned institutions such as New York Studio Art School and Cooper Hewitt, Akeem K. Duncan is a dedicated advocate of the arts and those who create it.
Marina Granger worked in the NYC Art World for nearly 15 years before starting The Artist Advisory- a company that offers real world guidance to visual artists. In 2018, she realized that the internet was causing a massive shift in the art world. Suddenly artists had so much more power on curating their online presence which allowed them to get in front of anyone and everyone without traditional gatekeepers. So, to date, Marina has worked with over 100 artists teaching them the business side of being an artist while helping them navigate using the internet to gain connections. She has also begun to consult galleries on their business practices as well. In her interview with Forbes in 2020, Marina explained that she has a four step method she follows for success with artists - Articulating Intention, Balancing Mindset, Perfecting Presentation, and Taking Action. So, Marina in addition to using analytical business acumen acquired through years of experience and a BA & MA in Art History, Granger also uses the Principles of Classical Chinese Feng Shui to enhance the success of the artists and businesses she works with. Most recently, Marina was the juror for the curatorial excellence award at the NY Affordable Art Fair. You can always tune in to what she has to say on her podcast, The Artist Advisory Hotline.
Maryana Kaliner is an art entrepreneur, founder of FORMah gallery, and International Finance Professional. After 12 year specializing in Business Strategy and business development, and serving as a focal point for financial and legal aspects and securing negotiations of high volume deals across Americas, Maryana brought her high analytical skill-set to the art industry. At 2021 she established FORMah, first nomadic gallery, that showcases emerging and mid-career artists from across the globe, and focuses on embracing female identifying creatives. Maryana holds an Executive MA in Negotiation and Decision Making in International Relations from The University of Haifa, Israel and BA in Economics and Management from COLMAN, Rishon le Tzion, Israel
Natasha Roberts, founder of The KNOW, is an art advisor and independent curator based in New York City. She works to cultivate partnerships between artists, galleries, and nonprofits, advises collectors, and develops cultural campaigns with innovative brands. Natasha is also a published writer, guest lecturer, and moderator.
