Abigail DeVille, Nicole Deller, Mark Dorfman, Bill Gautreaux, Erica Samuels, Jasmin Tsou, Christine Turner, Diana Wierbicki

New York, NY (September 28, 2023) – Art21 is proud to announce the appointment of eight new members to its Board of Trustees. This dynamic group of leaders in art, film, media, finance, and law will be pivotal at a moment of strategic growth for the organization. The new Trustees include Abigail DeVille, Nicole Deller, Mark Dorfman, Bill Gautreaux, Erica Samuels, Jasmin Tsou, Christine Turner, and Diana Wierbicki.

Now more than ever, there is a need for open and free access to art and the artistic process. These strategic additions to the board are part of Art21’s efforts to thoughtfully grow its capacity to expand its reach as the leading source to learn directly from the artists of our time. In addition, longtime Board Chairman David Howe was named Chair Emeritus, and James Cohan was appointed as the new Board Chairman. 

“This cohort of individuals joins a strong board of dedicated leaders who are passionate about amplifying access to the works and words of the artists of our time,” said James Cohan, Board Chairman. “I am delighted to be working along their side in stewarding Art21’s treasured film collection accessible for viewers worldwide.” 

“With the guidance of the board and a completed strategic plan, Art21 is primed to serve a wider global audience hungry for the ideas embedded in contemporary art,” said Tina Kukielski, Art21’s Susan Sollins Executive Director and Chief Curator. “We are honored to have this diverse group of voices join us through this next chapter of growth.”

Abigail DeVille is an artist who creates large sculptures and installations. DeVille’s work has been exhibited at The Whitney, The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Bronx Museum, and many more. Abigail has been featured on Art21’s Extended Play and New York Close Up series. 

 

Nicole Deller is a former lawyer and advocate for issues of international security, human rights, and the protection of women and children. She has experience with all aspects of non-profit operations, including strategic guidance, content development, and management.

 

 

Mark Dorfman is a private wealth advisor at Seasons of Advice Wealth Management, LLC. Prior to this, Dorman worked as a private wealth advisor at Hamowy, Conigliaro & Associates, a private practice of Ameriprise Financial. He has over 27 years of professional experience dedicated to advising clients on investments, estate planning, retirement planning, and other financial matters. 

 

Bill Gautreaux is the managing partner of MLP Holdings LLC, where he evaluates and manages investments and focuses on not-for-profit and civic leadership.  Bill was formerly the co-founder and President of Inergy LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership. He serves on the boards of the Nelson Atkins and Kemper Museum and the Whitney National Committee, as well as other institutions in the Civic and Education arena. He is an avid collector of contemporary art with a focus on emerging and mid-career artists in underrepresented sectors. Works are routinely loaned around the country in support of artists and exhibitions and gifted to Museums.

 

Erica Samuels has over 20 years of experience in the art world. She is now the founder of Samuels Creative & Co., a consulting firm that provides fine art services, from private collecting to artist commissions for large-scale hotel projects. Some of her projects include the Dream Hotel, New York and Nashville; the Pan Pacific Hotel, London; the Four Seasons, The Bahamas; and the Park Hyatt, New York.

 

Jasmin Tsou is the founder and owner of the New York-based gallery JTT. Established in 2012, JTT was a contemporary art gallery devoted to representing emerging and under-recognized artists. With a focus on presenting adventurous art in all its mediums, Jasmin’s programming supports artists at all stages of their careers. 

 

 

Christine Turner is a filmmaker who spotlights tender, intimate portraits of people in socially charged landscapes. Her work has been screened at MoMA, on PBS, and at film festivals widely, including Sundance and Tribeca. Turner has directed and produced several Art21 films.

 

 

Diana Wierbicki is a partner and Global Head of Art Law at Withers Bergman LLP. Her practice is focused on transactional art law dealing with all aspects of purchases, sales, loans, consignments, and charitable giving of works of art, including tax planning and art finance analysis. She is the co-author of the Fifth Edition of Art Law: The Guide for Collectors, Investors, Dealers & Artists.

 

Stay Tuned

Art21 is premiering two new films from its Extended Play series featuring Paul Pfeiffer on Wednesday, October 4, and Wong Ping on Wednesday, October 11. “Friends and Strangers,” the third and final episode from Art in the Twenty-First Century, premieres on PBS and online on Friday, October 20.

About Art21

Art21 is a celebrated global leader in presenting thought-provoking and sophisticated content about contemporary art, and the go-to place to learn first-hand from the artists of our time. A nonprofit organization, Art21’s mission is to inspire a more creative world through the works and words of contemporary artists. Learn more at Art21.org.

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Press Contact

Hannah DeGarmo
Manager of Communications, Art21
[email protected]