Kendall Warson

Building Cohart ✨

The art world can sometimes feel like an exclusive club with secret handshakes and intimidating price tags. But this week's Affordable Art Fair in NYC is proof that great art doesn't have to break the bank or make you feel like you need a PhD in art history to appreciate it. We’re thrilled to partner with them, and highlight some incredible galleries that are making art more accessible at the fair this week. All of these galleries are opening doors instead of gatekeeping, and they're putting artists first while making sure everyone feels welcome to explore. Let's meet our favorites!

warnes.jpg

#### [Warnes Contemporary](https://www.cohart.com/warnescontemporary/profile)
Located in Brooklyn's vibrant Gowanus neighborhood, this dynamic space founded by Victoria J. Fry focuses on amplifying new voices in contemporary art while fostering meaningful connections between artists and their community. They've showcased everything from solo exhibitions like "Delta Daydreams" to group shows that bring together artists from NYC and beyond. 

Head to: Stand F2

Screen Shot 2025-09-16 at 1.59.01 PM.png

#### [Tits & Co](https://www.cohart.com/titsandco/profile)
This international curatorial platform is committed to elevating female and gender non-conforming artists. Founded in 2019 by artist Marisa Mu, Tits & Co. operates between Melbourne and New York City with a clear mission: reshape the art world to be more inclusive and representative. They believe in the power of honest work and want to change the long-standing under-representation of marginalized voices in art. 

Exhibiting works by Montana Moore, Marisa Mu, and The Serpent Thread

Head to: Stand D10

Screen Shot 2025-09-16 at 2.15.02 PM.png

#### [Harsh Collective](https://www.cohart.com/harshcollective/profile)

Harsh Collective is all about putting artists at the center of the art world, not as an afterthought. Founded by Etta Harshaw (whose grandparents were NYC artists advocating for Soho artists in the '70s), this gallery aims to demystify the intimidating gallery experience. 

Exhibiting works by Olivia Chigas, Jacky Boehm, Katie Leimbach, and Mary Royall Wilgis.

Head to: Stand F1

zapalla.jpeg

#### [Zapallar Collective](https://www.cohart.com/zapallarcollective/profile) 
Founded in 2024, Zapallar Collective unites emerging and established artists with Latin American roots. They're inspired by North-South crossings (geographic, cultural, and spiritual) and work across disciplines from painting and sculpture to weaving and muralism. This debut New York exhibition celebrates collaboration and the creative energy that happens when tradition meets experimentation. 

Exhibiting works by Daphne Anastassiou and Trinidad Bascuñán Oviedo

Head to: Stand D22


Screen Shot 2025-09-16 at 4.02.34 PM.png

#### [Elisa Contemporary](https://www.cohart.com/elisacontemporaryart/profile)
Lisa Cooper launched Elisa Contemporary Art in 2007 with a simple but powerful mission: harness art's power to positively transform lives. Based in Riverdale, NY (where they're the only contemporary art gallery), they've curated over 40 shows and participated in international art fairs from NYC to Miami. Cooper works with everyone from first-time buyers to experienced collectors, proving that great art consulting doesn't have to be intimidating or exclusive.

Exhibiting works by Dean Moore, Jill Morton, Mitch McGee, and Neva Setlow

Head to: Stand A7


JJ.jpg

#### [JJ Contemporary Art Gallery](https://www.cohart.com/jjgalloway/profile)
JJ Contemporary sources and curates artwork from artists worldwide, connecting them with collectors and commercial partners. They maintain an international fair schedule and strong online presence to help artists build sustainable fine art businesses.

Head to: Stand C5

IMG_5372.jpeg

#### [Southside Contemporary](https://www.cohart.com/scagrva/profile)
Since opening in 2023 in Richmond's historic Southside, Southside Contemporary Art Gallery has dedicated itself to amplifying diverse, timely, and underrepresented voices while breaking barriers in the art world. At SCAG, art isn't just exhibited – it's experienced, celebrated, and integrated into the community. Their current presentation explores abstraction through varied approaches, featuring brutalist forms, dichromatic palettes, and tactile paper collages that create intimate reflections on memory, wanderlust, and contemporary life.

Head to: Stand A8

We're thrilled to profile the talented artists they are bringing to AAF this week:

**Huey Lightbody** anchors the exhibition with transformative work rooted in psyche and personal evolution. The Philadelphia Beach-based artist's creative renaissance began after departing from a more conventional life path, embracing multiple mediums through years of artistic and personal introspection. His practice reflects the philosophy of remaining free and connected to love - a worldview that permeates every aspect of his creative expression.

**Dathan Kane** brings bold, organic black and white shapes that explore life's constant duality. The Hampton Roads abstract painter and muralist's work seeks balance through complexity, with pieces held in collections spanning from Germany to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 

**Coppere Ford** constructs his collages like songs, layering creative parts to present a greater whole. The Richmond-based record producer and visual artist bridges his musical and artistic practices, creating works that reflect the same compositional approach he brings to sound production.

Screen Shot 2025-09-16 at 4.20.24 PM.png

#### [Artseeker](https://www.cohart.com/artseekergallery/profile)
Founded by an immigrant woman in Brooklyn, Artseeker champions bold, fearless female voices, especially those shaped by migration, resilience, and reinvention. They don't whisper; they roar. 

Head to: Stand D13


Screenshot 2025-09-16 at 18.24.54.png

#### [Art Pantheon](https://www.cohart.com/artpantheon/profile)
With over 20 years of cumulative experience in contemporary African art, Art Pantheon is a melting pot of diverse perspectives. They showcase both emerging talents and established artists who redefine contemporary art boundaries, embracing everything from paintings and sculptures to multimedia installations. Their team of passionate curators crafts each exhibition to tell a story, creating visual journeys that transcend traditional art notions.


tourrn2.jpg

#### [Tourne Gallery](https://www.cohart.com/tournegallery/profile)
Since 2008, Tourné has been dedicated to expanding the reach of innovative contemporary artists while building their careers and artistic legacies. This private New York gallery invests in and promotes a carefully curated selection of emerging and established artists, fostering a community of collectors, patrons, and connoisseurs passionate about discovering talent. Their collection contains hundreds of original works, with emphasis on purchasing from living artists and the galleries supporting them.


Cristina Vergano - Questions for Mr. Darwin.jpg

Tourne Gallery - Cristina Vergano - Tiffany Skies.jpg

#### Hope to see you there!
The beauty of events like the Affordable Art Fair and galleries like these is that they prove art doesn't have to be precious or intimidating. These spaces are creating communities, telling stories, and making sure that great art finds its way into the world (and onto your walls) without the pretense.

We're excited to partner with these galleries and support them through Cohart. Each gallery brings something unique to the table, and they're all doing incredible work to make the art world more accessible and inclusive. Whether you're a seasoned collector or someone who just knows what they like when they see it, I highly recommend checking out their booths and seeing what they're all about. 



Meet the Galleries: Your Guide to the Best Galleries at Affordable Art Fair NYC

Featured: Velvet Shadow, by Jacky Boehm

Featured: Transmutation, by Daphne Anastassiou

Featured: Last One to Know, Mitch McGee

Featured: Huey Lightbody in his studio

Featured Work: Feline Abstraction: A Mondrian-Inspired Mischief by VICTO

Cristina Vergano, Questions for Mr. Darwin, 2025, Oil on paper with masonite support, 12 x 12 inches

Cristina Vergano, Tiffany Skies, 2025, Acrylic and oil on board, 30 x 60 inches

Related

Spotlight: Andrés Rave on Interconnectivity, Identity, and Belonging

17 Artists We're Excited to See at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show 2025

Spotlight: Gome Alon on Capturing the Essence of Everyday Objects

Cohart Partners with The Affordable Art Fair

The Latest from Cohart

Meet a Select Group of Pro Users from August and September

Paper Drop: Jack Carden's Provocative Take on Art

Cohart 101: What is Papier Collé

Meet a Select Group of Pro Users from July

Ones to Watch at Boston Affordable Art Fair: Meet our Top Artists and Galleries

Subscribe to our newsletter