Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we’ve been able to increase the number of art exhibitions in 92Y’s Weill Art Gallery, moving beyond our popular faculty and student shows to present artists of global stature including Colin Davidson and Shantell Martin. Art Center Director Allison Valchuis, who arranges most of the exhibitions, outlines her curatorial philosophy.
“92Y is a hub for community and connection,” she says, “and that’s what makes us different from other places where art is displayed. Commercial galleries and celebrated museums can sometimes feel a bit exclusive. Because we are an open space for community, we are able to present exhibitions in a way that makes them feel accessible to all. Our hope and intention is to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to explore art and discuss the issues it raises. We’ve created a welcoming space for audiences to explore ideas, in the way that 92Y has always provided a safe space for artists to develop their work.
This past spring, Allison had invited Stephanie Baptist of the gallery and project space Medium Tings to present at 92Y her exhibition Fragmented Perceptions: Dana Robinson & Maya Varadaraj.
The exhibition was planned to have taken place in April, until COVID-19 forced us to postpone it. But Stephanie Baptist is not someone who’d let a mere pandemic prevent her from showing art and fostering dialogue around it.
“We were very excited about the opportunity to showcase Fragmented Perceptions at the Weill Art Gallery,” Stephanie told us. “92Y’s diverse cultural programming and wide community reach from young to old, would incite new conversations around this body of work. We are still holding out hope that there will be a chance in the near future for this work to be housed here!”
Back in 2017, when Stephanie couldn’t find a space to show the artists she wanted to exhibit, she successfully turned her own Brooklyn apartment into an art gallery — bringing artists and audiences into her home and fostering the kind of conversation around art that doesn’t often happen in more formal settings. Now, her exhibitions are primarily online. We talked with this innovative thinker about her exhibition, her gallery, and the shape of art to come.
* * * * *
What interested her in the work of Dana Robinson and Maya Varadaraj in Fragmented Perceptions?
“I’m most excited by the similarities across their artistic practices. Here you have two female identifying artists, one of Indian descent and the other Black American, using the constructed identity as their starting point, to dissect and examine the visuals seen in the world, and even more microscopically magazines, advertisements and cultural memorabilia. Both artists are using collage and painting, as powerful tools to dissect these old stereotypical narratives, re-address history and liberate the figures in their works by giving them greater agency.”
What makes Medium Tings different from other art galleries and project spaces?
“The philosophy behind the gallery is to connect emerging and mid-career Black and artists of color to emerging and new collectors in a welcoming environment. It is important to buy art that one loves and can live with. The art will become a part of a collector’s environment and story, which will continue to grow and evolve over time. I want new buyers to feel connected to the artist and their process, with the hopes that they will continue to go on and support their careers for the long term. I believe in creating a multitude of entry points, (unique art priced at $100 to artworks that are up to $10,000), which is a very important part of the conversation; as buying art with a lower price tag doesn’t make it less valuable. I have been fortunate enough to open my doors to a wide variety of people (museum curators, collectors, local community) and this is extremely beneficial for artists. It’s about collective stewardship.”
What are the challenges facing artists in New York City right now?
“So many artists are working day jobs and pursuing their practice part time, until they can afford to get to a place where they can focus fully on their art practice. These challenges are even higher during this time, since many exhibitions and opportunities have been postponed.
“Online exhibitions have become a lifeline for many artists, and also allow those who might not normally feel comfortable going into a gallery to take part in the conversation, even if it’s from a distance. However, the challenge with a full digital program is determining the best offering and tools for facilitating an experience that will keep the public’s attention.”
What are your hopes for art and artists as we emerge from this pandemic?
“My hope is for our platform, Medium Tings, to expand, so that we can provide more opportunities for artists and cultural workers. Alongside our growth, I'd like to see new art platforms that are also equitable, transparent, inclusive, and supportive of artists and the communities they serve. I hope that artists continue to empower themselves with the tools and resources to define their careers for themselves.”
* * * * *
Stephanie’s connection with 92Y goes back a few years — she was the recipient of the Catherine Hannah Behrend Fellowship in Visual Arts Management in our Women inPower program, which provides women with the resources needed to advance to the top levels of leadership in their fields. As part of the Fellowship, Stephanie was given the opportunity to curate an exhibition at 92Y as part of her Behrend Fellowship. “Having a cohort of women at my disposal, across a multitude of disciplines and industries was extremely invaluable. I feel particularly attached to the program, as I formed really good friendships and a stellar recommend which resulted in my current place of employment! I have been encouraging others to apply for this program, as everyone should be able to reap the benefits of the mentorship, workshops and support,” Stephanie said.
Allison Valchuis added: “Works of art have always provided pathways to conversation, no matter how difficult. Presenting artists whose work connects directly with our audience and celebrates humanity and diversity is everything we strive for.”
We hope to present Fragmented Perceptions in 92Y’s Weill Art Gallery before too long. In the meantime, you can explore the exhibition.