ARTELFEST Heats Up Summer 2024
Written by T.K. Mills
Over the past year, ARTELFEST has come to define itself as one of the major players in New York City’s art scene, a position it cemented this summer with a string of successful exhibitions. While UP has had the pleasure of assisting in some of these shows, ARTELFEST has been leading the way for creatives to showcase their art with both renowned venues and outdoor block parties.
Founded by gallery owner Rich Ramsay in 2022, their growth began to develop exponentially after their Winter Fair in December 2023. With an ambition to put on at least one event a month, Ramsay heralded a series of increasingly triumphant exhibitions. Notably, these include one in Barcelona – the company’s first, but not last, abroad – as well as the company’s first outing in Los Angeles. However, it was this summer when they began to take it up a notch.
ARTELFEST has been leading the way for creatives to showcase their art with both renowned venues and outdoor block parties.
On his curating strategy, Ramsay explained to UP, “I want to make art for everyone, and erase the line between underground artists and fine artists. It’s not about, ‘oh you’re cool, you’re hot, you’re not.’ It’s about everyone. Giving everyone a chance. No one is too big or too small.” With this democratic mindset, Ramsay has sought to fulfill ARTELFEST’s mission to “create an inclusive community where artists of all types can come together and share their talents. With an emphasis on highlighting local artists and emerging talent, the ARTEL community offers a safe space for all to enjoy art, wherever the community comes together.”
This mentality was on full display at their keynote show this summer in Chelsea. Chelsea, a neighborhood known as a luxury district, within which many of the prominent big-league galleries reside, is often placed upon a pedestal by artists for what it represents. So, it was a matter of major significance to display art in the area.
“The reason I wanted to do a show in Chelsea, is I know a lot of artists have never had the opportunity. I know how esteemed that neighborhood is in the artist community. Everything I do with ARTELFEST, I’m trying to do different. I’m trying to break barriers,” Ramsay explained.
The Chelsea Exhibition took place on July 5th, and featured over 100 artists, both up-and-coming artists looking to make a name for themselves and established creatives such as Andaluz, who dazzled the audience with live painting. “This is why bigger artists support us, we bring the community together. It’s important for bigger artists to help the artists still on the come up. Everyone was new at one point,” the curator said.
“I want to make art for everyone, and erase the line between underground artists and fine artists. It’s not about, ‘oh you’re cool, you’re hot, you’re not.’ It’s about everyone. Giving everyone a chance. No one is too big or too small.”
The venue is the former landmark location of West Chelsea Contemporary, a high-profile gallery that shuttered it’s NYC location during a market downturn to focus on their Austin market. The resourceful Ramsay saw an opportunity and connected with the building’s owner. Before launching the summer flagship show of ARTELFEST, in April he hosted a weekend opening titled, “Beauty in the Struggle’ a dual-exhibition by Anthony Rodinone and Naderson Saint Pierre highlighting the challenges these two titans of creativity surmounted in their respective artistic journeys. Witnessing the impressive audience turnout and positive reception for the community, Ramsay knew it would be a prime location for an ARTELFEST location.
The Chelsea show ushered in a new era of prominent for ARTELFEST. While the venue and its triumph marked a new level on the gallery front, the show was bookended by outdoor festivals in June and August. The first took place at Memorial Gore in Williamsburg, a triangle pavilion across from the popular local bar Easy Lover with whom Ramsay secured an afterparty. Despite hot weather, the event enjoyed a positive turnout, and Ramsay was able to demonstrate his capacity for hosting a block party to Kevin LaCherra.
Kevin LaCherra is a community activist, whose mission has been to create a more pedestrian friendly New York and works on several initiatives with the aim of creating more public space and open streets adjacent to parks. The ARTELFEST curator and LaCherra met by chance, however have built a blossoming partnership. Through LaCherra, Ramsay was able to take over the artistic agenda for the first annual McCarren Block Party.
The Block Party took place on August 3rd, coincidentally Ramsay’s birthday, featured several creatives including over 20 live painters, poets, and dancers along with Brooklyn DJ troop, Soul Summit. Ramsay expressed pride in securing Soul Summit for the event, given their popular “soulful Sunday afternoon music festival series,” the curator knew they would be the perfect soundtrack to an artistic day in the park.
As Summer comes to a close, Ramsay isn’t slowing down look to continue building on ARTELFEST’s momentum. This Fall, they’re returning to Europe for a traveling series with ambitions to host exhibitions in Berlin, Paris, and London. In late October and early November, they’ll be returning to Brooklyn for more block party style outdoor events.
“ARTELFEST is very new, even though we’ve accomplished so much already. And we’re going to keep growing,” Ramsay said with confidence.
To stay in the loop with what’s coming up with ARTELFEST, be sure to follow them on Instagram and check in on their website. To be considered for future events, be sure to submit through their online portal.
T.K. Mills is the Editor-in-Chief of UP Magazine, a street art publication based in New York City. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs, he discovered a love for graffiti while backpacking through Cuba and pursued life as a writer. Outside of UP, T.K. enjoys writing poetry, personal travel essays, and occasionally short stories. His work has been published in The Smart Set, The Vignette Review, Genre Urban Arts, and Eternal Remedy among others. Beyond art, T.K. loves reading and traveling.
