In this episode, Victoria discusses the importance of creating art for oneself before considering the audience. She emphasizes the need for artists to reflect on their true desires, trust their artistic voice, and navigate social media without letting it dictate their creative choices. Victoria encourages artists to embrace evolution in their work, prioritize personal fulfillment over external validation, and view their art as a lasting legacy. She also shares insights on engaging with audiences authentically, maintaining open conversations with galleries, and allowing curiosity to guide artistic growth.

To learn more about working with Victoria, visit visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and podcast host. She is the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Victoria has supported hundreds of artists globally, providing resources and opportunities to help them further their art careers.

As part of her mission to increase visibility for emerging artists, she partners with renowned curators and gallerists to facilitate both in-person and virtual exhibitions and to publish quarterly issues of New Visionary Magazine, a contemporary art publication showcasing artists from around the world. She has been a guest speaker for Women’s Caucus for Art in Washington, D.C., Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and the Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, and The Artful Collective, and has served as a juror for the Women’s United Art Prize.

Victoria holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts (2012) and an MAT from the Maine College of Art (2014).

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
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In this episode, Victoria discusses the importance of finding the right opportunities that align with your long-term goals and how to reframe rejection as a stepping stone rather than a setback. She shares insights from both an artist’s and curator’s perspective, offering practical strategies for researching opportunities, building relationships within the art community, and maintaining connections with curators. Victoria also shares upcoming open calls for artists, encouraging them to submit their work and embrace the process of growth and resilience in their careers.

To learn more about working with Victoria, visit visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

About Victoria

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and podcast host. She is the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Victoria has supported hundreds of artists globally, providing resources and opportunities to help them further their art careers.

As part of her mission to increase visibility for emerging artists, she partners with renowned curators and gallerists to facilitate both in-person and virtual exhibitions and to publish quarterly issues of New Visionary Magazine, a contemporary art publication showcasing artists from around the world. She has been a guest speaker for Women’s Caucus for Art in Washington, D.C., Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and the Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, and The Artful Collective, and has served as a juror for the Women’s United Art Prize.

Victoria holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts (2012) and an MAT from the Maine College of Art (2014).

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this episode, Victoria explores the power of shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance in your art career. She shares strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs, the inspiring story of artist Alma Thomas, and the importance of trusting your unique timeline. Many artists feel like they’re falling behind, but success isn’t bound by age or a rigid path. By reframing beliefs around scarcity and the “starving artist” myth, artists can open themselves to new opportunities, growth, and recognition. Your best work may still be ahead of you—trust the journey and know that your art is valuable at any stage.

To learn more about working with Victoria, visit visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To enroll in the Artist Glow Up Program, visit: visionaryartcollective.com/glowup-enroll

To join the Visionary Community: visit: visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

About Victoria -

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and podcast host. She is the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Fry has supported hundreds of artists globally, providing resources and opportunities to help them further their art careers.

As part of her mission to increase visibility for emerging artists, Fry partners with renowned curators and gallerists to facilitate both in-person and virtual exhibitions, and to publish quarterly issues of New Visionary Magazine, a contemporary art publication showcasing artists from around the world. Fry has been a guest speaker for the Women’s Caucus for Art in Washington, D.C., Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and the Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for organizations such as Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, and The Artful Collective, and has served as a juror for the Women’s United Art Prize.

Fry holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts (2012) and an MAT from the Maine College of Art (2014).

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this episode, Victoria explores the importance of trusting the timing of your artistic journey and embracing the present moment. She discusses the common fear of falling behind, how to reframe scarcity into abundance, and the power of protecting your creative time. Through personal reflections and practical advice, she highlights how art is both an act of self-love and a gift to the world. Tune in for inspiration on maximizing your studio time, valuing your work, and finding fulfillment in your creative practice.

To learn more about working with Victoria, visit visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

About Victoria -

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Fry has supported hundreds of artists globally, providing resources and opportunities to help them further their art careers. As part of her mission to increase visibility for emerging artists, Fry partners with renowned curators and gallerists to facilitate both in-person and virtual exhibitions, and to publish quarterly issues of New Visionary Magazine, a contemporary art publication showcasing artists globally. Fry has been a guest speaker for the Women’s Caucus for Art in Washington, D.C., Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and the Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for organizations such as Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, and The Artful Collective, and has served as a juror for the Women’s United Art Prize. She also hosts the New Visionary Podcast.Fry holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts (2012) and an MAT from the Maine College of Art (2014).

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Nicole James, a NYC-based painter and creative director, discusses her journey from advertising to fine art, exploring the intersection of commercial and personal expression. She shares insights on navigating the art world, time management, and the evolving nature of artistic identity. Nicole also reflects on her experience at the Spring Break Art Fair and the importance of community, collaboration, and resilience in an artist’s career.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Overcoming societal pressures and the starving artist myth.
2. The role of time management in sustaining an art career.
3. How personal experiences shape artistic themes and narratives.

About Nicole-

Nicole James is a New York City based artist recognized for her intimate, cinematic paintings of celebratory moments gone wrong.

Foregrounding a dual interest in classical still life and modern narratives, James adopts on-screen aesthetics to create wildly saturated and quietly unsettling vanitas paintings that use the collective symbolism of familiar personal objects to tell stories that exist somewhere between the artist’s autobiographical experiences and the audience’s. Often focused on the fleeting, James’ work is characterized by a palpable tension between the emotional chaos of the subject matter and her meticulously devotional painting technique. She has exhibited widely in New York City, with presentations at SPRING/BREAK, O’Flaherty’s, IRL, Storage, Halsey McKay, Room57, and Harsh Collective, and is held in various private collections.

Website: www.nicolejames.nyc
IG: @nicolejames.nyc

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

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Johnny Thornton, an artist working in Brooklyn, NY, owner of Established Gallery, and Director of Arts Gowanus discusses his artistic journey, how art became a therapeutic outlet during his illness, and his evolving creative approach. He shares insights on community engagement through Arts Gowanus, emphasizing affordability and collaboration in building a thriving artist community in Brooklyn.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Art as a therapeutic outlet and a catalyst for community building.
2. The importance of affordability and advocacy in the arts.
3. Navigating the commercial art world while fostering collaboration.
4. Future initiatives to support artists and create accessible spaces.

About Johnny -

Johnny Thornton is an artist, curator and art director that lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Connecticut, he spent his childhood in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to Tucson, Arizona, where he studied Fine Arts at the University of Arizona. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Parsons the New School for Design in New York City. Thornton has had work exhibited throughout the United States and is part of several collections. Currently, Thornton works out of his art studio in Gowanus and serves as the Executive Director of Arts Gowanus. Johnny was the Head Curator/Gallery Director at Established Gallery for 2 years before becoming the co-owner in 2022.Thornton is also the Executive Director of Arts Gowanus, a non-profit organization working to support, promote, and advocate for local artists and a sustainable arts community in Brooklyn.

Website :https://johnnythornton.com/
IG: @johnnythornton / @establishedgallery_ / @artsgowanus

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

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Caitlin Kelly-McKenna, founder and director of Kelly-McKenna Gallery, shares her journey of opening a contemporary art gallery in Spring Lake, New Jersey. She discusses the empowering experience of running her own space, the importance of trusting her vision, and the challenges of programming outside of New York City. This conversation explores the role of education in fostering art appreciation, the rewards of showcasing unconventional art, and valuable advice for emerging artists navigating the art world.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Caitlin’s path to gallery ownership and how the pandemic shaped her decision to open her own space.
2. The importance of community engagement and education in making contemporary art more accessible.
3. Key challenges and rewards of showcasing unconventional art outside of major art hubs.
4. Practical advice for emerging artists, including self-advocacy, networking, and the role of residencies.

About Caitlin-

Caitlin Kelly-McKenna is the founder and director of Kelly-Mckenna Gallery. Kelly-McKenna Gallery, established in Fall 2022, serves as both a fine art gallery and a consulting firm. They showcase emerging and established artists through year-round exhibitions and offer tailored services such as collection building, management, and comprehensive appraisal and valuation services. Located in the serene beach town of Spring Lake, New Jersey, just outside New York City, the gallery provides a calm and inviting environment away from the city's bustle. This setting allows visitors to experience and discuss art with a clear and open mind. Spring Lake was chosen for its slower pace of life, which has shaped their approach to programming: They present fewer exhibitions each year, but they run for longer durations. This approach allows more focus on broad, universal themes that resonate deeply and address pressing contemporary issues. The exhibitions explore topics like artificial intelligence, environmental challenges, and the enduring tension between science and religion—ideas that invite reflection and spark meaningful conversations.

Website: kellymckennagallery.com
IG: @kellymckennagallery

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

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Etta Harshaw, founder of Harsh Collective, shares her inspiring journey and the themes central to her work in the art world. Her gallery is dedicated to supporting emerging artists, fostering community, and curating interactive and joyful art experiences. This conversation explores Etta's entrepreneurial lessons, the importance of relationships in the art world, and her commitment to underrepresented artists and mediums.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Etta’s artistic family background and how it inspired her career in curation and community building.
2. Her passion for starting a gallery and empowering emerging artists through mentorship and collaboration.
3. Creating meaningful exhibitions that prioritize underrepresented voices.
4. Insights into studio visits, feedback, and building meaningful relationships between artists and curators.

About Etta -

Growing up in a family of artists, Etta Harshaw cultivated an appreciation and keen eye for fine art from a young age. Her grandparents were both artists in New York City, advocating for the support of Soho Artist In Residence laws in the 1970s. Following the sale of her grandparents' New York City property, Harshaw was bequeathed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to utilize these funds to continue her grandparents' vision of supporting emerging artists in the city.

Cutting her teeth in the gallery and design space, Harshaw began discussing the goal of reimagining the contemporary gallery, Harshaw actualized this dream by taking business courses in her senior year of college. She developed a business plan using her concept for projects in her classes. After graduating, Harshaw founded Harsh Collective to support artists' voices in New York and provide a cultural hub and platform for contemporary artists to share their unique vision with art admirers and collectors of all levels. To scale Harshaw’s vision, her first step was to bring on colleague and friend Juliette Eberle to support the gallery’s continuous growth and manage operations.

With Harshaw’s formal background in fine art and graphic design and her experience in the art industry, the Harshaw built a creative and inclusive community at Harsh Collective. Harshaw continues curating and designing bespoke exhibitions for emerging and historically underrepresented artists.

Website: harshcollective.com
IG: @ettaharshaw / @harshcollectivenyc

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