In this episode, Victoria shares why persistence—not perfection—is key to building a sustainable art practice. She encourages artists to release the pressure of rigid routines and instead embrace a flexible, intuitive approach that honors their season of life.

Whether you’re creating in short bursts between responsibilities or deep in studio flow, it all counts. Victoria also highlights artists like Jill McDougall and Brandy Hofer, who model what it means to stay connected to your practice in creative, adaptable ways.

This episode is a gentle reminder that there’s no one “right” way to be an artist—and every small act of showing up matters.

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

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported hundreds of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Website: visionaryartcollective.com
Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this episode, Victoria explores what healthy gallery relationships actually look like and emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation first. She encourages artists to take ownership of their careers by creating opportunities, engaging with their audience, and cultivating momentum independently.

She also highlights what galleries are truly looking for—artists who are proactive, engaged, and aligned with their mission—and shares how stepping into your power as an artist can lead to aligned partnerships and long-term success.

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
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

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
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

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

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

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

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter