SE 04 EP 7 - Interview with Alex Farkas (UGallery)

Michael Findlay is a director of Acquavella Galleries in New York. His career began in 1964, when he became a pioneer of SoHo’s legendary gallery scene, presenting the first solo exhibitions of many then unknown artists who went on to become household names. He is the author of The Value of Art and Seeing Slowly (both published by Prestel). His new book, Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties, is an evocative and exciting journey through the 1960’s New York as an art dealer makes a career of emphasizing the importance of lived experience of art over its pursuit of financial gain, while launching the U.S. careers of some of the most sought-after artists of the late twentieth century.  Learn more about the podcast here. 

After working for almost a decade in the auction and blue-chip gallery world, Erin Schuppert became the Director of Affordable Art Fair NYC in January 2022. With a mission to spread the joy of collecting art in an accessible and welcoming way, the fair holds two editions annually, in March and September. Each fair hosts over 75 galleries from around the world showcasing over 400 artists. Inspired by her vision to make a positive contribution to the vibrant NYC arts ecosystem, Erin began the Fellowship Program shortly after joining the fair. The Program invests in the long-term growth and success of local emerging galleries, inviting them to exhibit at the fair free of charge over three editions. Erin is also proud to work with local organizations such as Arts Gowanus, Materials for the Arts, FIT, and The Art Therapy Project to create joyful, engaging, and welcoming arts experiences. She holds a BA in Art History from Boston University and an MA in Museum Studies from NYU. Learn more about the podcast here.

Anna Holmes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours from Queen's University, majoring in Art History and History. While undertaking her undergraduate studies, Anna volunteered and worked at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, acting as both a Curatorial Assistant and Collections Assistant, enriching her knowledge of research procedures, cataloguing, acquisitions and art handling. What began as a curiosity about the art auction industry developed into a career choice which Anna explored through internships at respected Toronto houses and with further advanced study, Anna pursued a Masters degree in Art, Style and Design, Art World Practice, with Christie's Education in London, England, earning her MLitt degree from the University of Glasgow. Anna's professional background includes fifteen years of experience in the Canadian auction world, working with various Toronto firms and receiving mentorship from recognized experts in the Canadian Art auction industry. When she is not focusing on her professional responsibilities, Anna enjoys keeping current with cultural activities, including the theatre, music, and dance. Among other arts-related organizations, she is a member of the Women's Art Association of Canada. Learn more about Cowley Abbott Auctioneers here.  Learn more about the podcast here. 

Jenn Goodwin is the Public Programs Curator at Toronto Biennial of Art. Prior to joining the team in April 2023, she worked for the City of Toronto with a focus on Nuit Blanche, for which she was the inaugural programmer and played an integral role in shaping its artistic and cultural identity and evolution. Recently, she was also Lead Programmer on ArtworxTO Programs and Cultural Community Hubs. Jenn is also an artist, choreographer, independent curator, and artistic producer/programmer. Much of her art and producing practice has focused on art in public space, envisioned through a choreographic and feminist lens, while championing artists and communities by way of their art practices. Jenn is a graduate of the Master of Visual Studies – Curatorial Studies Program at the University of Toronto and received the Reesa Greenberg award for Curation. Prior to that, she received a BFA from Concordia University in Contemporary Dance. Learn more about Jenn Goodwin at https://www.jenngoodwin.ca/. Learn more about the podcast at https://curatoronthego.com/podcast/. 

Alex Farkas is the founder and gallery director of UGallery. Alex enjoyed a small-town childhood in the old mining town of Jerome, Arizona - there were more ghosts than residents and the arts community thrived. It was his mother's ceramic studio and gallery that first nurtured Alex's taste in art. He spent his early years carving wood sculptures, exploring abandoned buildings, and avoiding the rattlesnakes and centipedes under every rock. At the University of Arizona, Alex loved studying art history and sculpture, and he also enrolled in the Entrepreneurship program. It was here he realized he could combine the two worlds of art and business. After graduating in 2006, Alex launched UGallery using his entire savings. After a few years, he packed up a truck and moved to San Francisco to join its vibrant art market. After almost 15 years in San Francisco, he moved to Amsterdam where he runs the business today. Alex has curated the UGallery portfolio since its inception, hosted booths at the New York Affordable Art Fair for over 8 years, and seen UGallery featured in dozens of publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, and TechCrunch. Learn about UGallery. Learn about the podcast. 

Auronda Scalera and Alfredo Cramerotti are a curatorial duo for arts and advanced technologies. They co-direct Multiplicity XXnft, an online platform that curates, publishes and promotes art with a focus on diversity and inclusion.  Auronda is a curator and public figure who lives between London, Dubai and the metaverse. She regularly appears on the art and technology conference and summit circuit and is a lecturer at several university courses, as well as working as a curator, advisor, and global ambassador for art and culture. The House of Lords wanted her as expert witness on art, culture and new technologies at the UK Parliament, part of the first evidence session for a Commission on Web3 and the metaverse; SkyTV / ClassCNBC interviewed her among academics, artists and researchers on AI, art and museums; the PlusTate UK institutional network of museums invited her to organise webinars on art and new technologies; She delivered a lecture-performance at the House of Beautiful Business conference in Lisbon in front of 700+ world leaders. During the latest World Economic Forum on Web3 and Metaverse for 100woman x Davos had her as discussant about equity and diversity. Alfredo is the director of Media Majlis museum of art, media and technology at Northwestern University, Qatar. He is president of IKT–International Association Curators of Contemporary Art, chair of the Digital Strategies Committee of AICA–Int’l Association of Art Critics, and advises the KSA Visual Art Commission, UK Government Art Collection, British Council Visual Arts, and the Italian Ministry of Culture.  He is a renowned for his work in contemporary art and media, often exploring the intersections of art, technology, and society. He has curated exhibitions and projects worldwide, such as four national pavilions and collateral events at the Venice Art Biennale; Hong Kong Arts Centre; EXPO Chicago, and the biennials Sequences VII in Reykjavik, Iceland and Manifesta 8, Region of Murcia, Spain.

Judith Tatar is a Founder & Creative Director of Tatar Art Projects (TAP) - a global art consulting firm that connects clients to its community through artwork. TAP curates art programs that amplify diverse voices in visual art and its representatives of the communities they serve. Integral to a successful art program; whether hospitality, corporate or public, is that it enriches the experience for the viewer and maximizes return for the clients’ investment by unlocking the value of storytelling through visual art.  Learn more about Tatar Art Projects here. Learn more about the podcast and podcast host here. 

Svenja Katharina Frisch is an art advisor and curator based in Berlin. She is also a co-founder of POV contemporary - a fusion of curation and advisory aimed to host international invite-only salons to communicate the passion for art and foster a like-minded community. Learn more about Svenja Katharina Frisch at https://www.instagram.com/svenjakatharinafrisch/. Learn more about the podcast and podcast host at https://curatoronthego.com/podcast/.  

Carrie Scott is an American/English curator, art historian, TV presenter and art writer living in London. Over the past 16 years she has worked with numerous galleries, businesses, collectors and artists worldwide. While at the University of Washington, Seattle doing a Master’s in Art History, Scott was noted curator of the Hedreen Gallery at Seattle University's Lee Center, and Director of the James Harris Gallery also in Seattle, Washington. While working with James Harris she curated the first solo show of Rashid Johnson’s work outside of Chicago. From there she went on to be Director of Nicole Klagsbrun gallery in New York. In 2009, Scott launched her own business Carrie Scott & Partners, an art consultancy and curatorial endeavour that could exist beyond the walls of the traditional gallery. Learn more about Carrie Scott at https://www.carrie-scott.com/. Learn more about the podcast and podcast host at https://curatoronthego.com/podcast/.  

Katharine Earnhardt, the founder of Mason Lane Art Advisory, developed an in-depth art market knowledge and aptitude for developing client taste through 15 years of experience in the New York and London art worlds. She has worked at the Museum of Modern Art, Christie’s Inc, and Gurr Johns, conducting extensive research on art value and investment. Katharine has a dual degree in Art History and Economics from Williams College and a Master's in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Known for her approachability, and transparency, Katharine instills trust and confidence in her clients and industry colleagues. Learn more about Katharine Earnhardt here. Learn more about the podcast and podcast host here.