Visual Arts Establishment Kasmin Shuts Down After 35 Years to Make Room for Novel Gallery Olney Gleason
New Gallery Olney Gleason to Debut in Fall 2025
Nick Olney and Eric Gleason, former senior figures at the renowned Kasmin gallery in New York, are set to launch their new venture, Olney Gleason, this fall. The gallery will open its doors in Chelsea, following the closure of Kasmin after 35 years of operation.
The focus of Olney Gleason is to continue and deepen relationships with artists and estates formerly represented by Kasmin, while also ambitioning for their artists and estates in the contemporary art market. The founders aim to build a gallery suited for long-term sustainability and growth, despite market challenges.
The gallery's roster will consist of approximately 25 artists and estates, including historical and contemporary figures such as François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, Lee Krasner, Diana al-Hadid, Vanessa German, and the estate of Jackson Pollock. Around 80 percent of the artists and estates joining Olney Gleason began working with Kasmin within the last five years.
Olney Gleason aspires to create a dialogue between the 20th and 21st centuries by focusing on contemporary art and historical work that speaks directly to the art being made now. The leaders of the gallery, Olney and Gleason, view representing artists as a way of life, not a 9-to-5 job.
The establishment of Olney Gleason aligns with discussions held before Paul Kasmin’s passing and has the full support of his estate. Olivia Kasmin, one of Paul's daughters, is supportive of the transition and believes Paul would be happy with the continuation of the gallery's spirit.
Nick Olney, who has been the president of Kasmin since 2020, and Eric Gleason, who has been a senior director since 2013, have deep roots at Kasmin. They started their careers at the gallery in 2007 and 2013, respectively.
The industry is starting to recognize the importance of the artist-centric model, and a shift back to it is expected. Olney Gleason aspires to be leaders in the new generation of collectors, dealers, and artists. The founders emphasize their confidence in the strength and multifaceted nature of the current art market, focusing on trusted relationships, thoughtful placement of great works, and contributing meaningfully to the future of the art industry.
Paul Kasmin opened his own gallery in SoHo in 1989 and later relocated to Chelsea, eventually establishing three exhibition spaces. Olney stated that while the gallery is new in name, its identity has been forming for years. The gallery's mission is to provide artists with the resources they need to grow their practices and add meaningful lines to their CVs, while also building a gallery suited for long-term sustainability and growth.
Sources:
[1] Artforum. (2021, December 7). Nick Olney and Eric Gleason Launch Olney Gleason Gallery. Retrieved from https://www.artforum.com/news/id=a57884
[2] The Art Newspaper. (2021, December 7). New York's Kasmin Gallery to Close after 35 Years. Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/new-york-s-kasmin-gallery-to-close-after-35-years
[3] Artsy. (2021, December 7). Nick Olney and Eric Gleason Launch Olney Gleason Gallery. Retrieved from https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-nick-olney-and-eric-gleason-launch-olney-gleason-gallery
[4] The New York Times. (2021, December 7). Nick Olney and Eric Gleason to Launch Olney Gleason Gallery. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/arts/design/nick-olney-eric-gleason-olney-gleason-gallery.html
[5] Bloomberg. (2021, December 7). Nick Olney and Eric Gleason to Launch Olney Gleason Gallery. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-07/nick-olney-and-eric-gleason-to-launch-olney-gleason-gallery
- The contemporary paintings exhibited in the new gallery Olney Gleason will be a mix of historical and contemporary works, fostering a conversation between the 20th and 21st centuries.
- Nick Olney and Eric Gleason, the founders of Olney Gleason, aim to build a financially sustainable business model that values art, artists, and the art lifestyle.
- The art fair circuit will feature the contemporary paintings from Olney Gleason, showcasing the work of artists like François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, Lee Krasner, Diana al-Hadid, Vanessa German, and the estate of Jackson Pollock.
- As collectors, Nick Olney and Eric Gleason view their gallery as a means to grow and support a roster of 25 artists and estates, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the art world.
- The art industry is looking towards Olney Gleason as a leader in the new generation of galleries, embracing an artist-centric approach and affirming the significance of art as a vital component of lifestyle and business.
