In the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art district, a unique gallery is making waves and challenging ageist norms in the art world. The Carter Burden Gallery, a program of the Carter Burden Network, is exclusively dedicated to exhibiting the work of re-emerging professional artists over the age of 60[1][2]. By providing a platform for these often overlooked artists, the gallery is not only showcasing vibrant and important work but also fostering a supportive community and dialogue around aging and creativity.
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ContactA Mission to Celebrate and Empower
The Carter Burden Gallery was born out of the recognition that older professional artists often face decreased opportunities and marketability in the current art scene, despite their wealth of experience and talent[2]. The gallery’s mission is to create a dialogue with the arts community, demonstrating that the transformative nature of art transcends age[7]. As Gallery Director Marlena Vaccaro puts it, “Professional artists never stop doing what we do, and in many cases we get better at it as we go along.”[8]
By targeting NYC artists over 60, the Carter Burden Gallery celebrates their unique ability to share lifetimes of participation in the city’s arts culture[2]. The gallery works to create opportunities for these artists to network, respond to each other’s work, and invigorate their creative process[7]. In doing so, it confirms their continued value and contribution to the arts.
A Thriving and Diverse Community
Since its opening nine years ago, the Carter Burden Gallery has exhibited the work of over 200 artists[8]. The gallery hosts a diverse array of shows, with each exhibition featuring two to three artists and running for three weeks[8]. Opening receptions often draw crowds of 500 people, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere[8].
The gallery represents a wide range of artistic mediums and styles, from painting and sculpture to mixed media and installation art[12]. This diversity is a testament to the breadth of talent and vision among older artists. As artist Nieves Saah, 67, notes, “It is community, and it’s necessary because when you do your artwork, you usually are alone.”[8]
Combatting Ageism in the Art World
The Carter Burden Gallery’s age requirement is a deliberate stance against the ageism that pervades the art world. As Vaccaro explains, “I think it’s giving an opportunity to a group of people that have had the opportunity removed simply because of their age.”[8] By exclusively representing older artists, the gallery is not only providing them with a much-needed platform but also challenging the notion that creativity and relevance have an expiration date.
The gallery’s success is proof that there is a strong appetite for the work of older artists. Pieces sell from $200 to $9,000, with most falling in the $425 to $3,000 range[9]. This commercial viability is significant, as it demonstrates that the art market is not solely the domain of young, emerging artists.
A Model for Supporting Older Artists
As a nonprofit, the Carter Burden Gallery is able to prioritize the exhibition of important work without being solely driven by commercial concerns[8]. This model allows the gallery to take chances on artists who may not have widespread recognition or a large collector base[9]. It’s a vital support system for older artists who may have been creating work for decades without the benefit of consistent representation or sales.
The gallery’s success has not gone unnoticed in the art world. It has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times[9], NPR[8], and Art in America[3], shining a spotlight on the importance of supporting and celebrating older artists. As more attention is drawn to this issue, it is hoped that other galleries and institutions will follow the Carter Burden Gallery’s lead in combating ageism and recognizing the value of older artists’ contributions.
A Vital Resource for the Community
Beyond its role in the art world, the Carter Burden Gallery is also a vital resource for the community of older adults served by the Carter Burden Network. The gallery is an integral part of the network’s continuum of services, which includes senior centers, social services, arts and culture programs, and health and wellness initiatives[13]. By providing opportunities for creative expression and social engagement, the gallery contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life of older New Yorkers.
The Carter Burden Gallery also serves as a model for other organizations looking to support and empower older adults through the arts. Its success demonstrates the transformative power of creativity and the importance of providing opportunities for lifelong learning and engagement.
Looking to the Future
As the Carter Burden Gallery looks to the future, it remains committed to its mission of empowering re-emerging older artists and challenging ageist norms in the art world. With a thriving community of artists and supporters, the gallery is well-positioned to continue making a significant impact.
One exciting development is the gallery’s expansion into online exhibitions and programming, which has become increasingly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic[2]. By leveraging digital platforms, the gallery is able to reach a wider audience and provide opportunities for artists to share their work even when in-person exhibitions are not possible.
The gallery is also exploring new partnerships and collaborations to further support and promote the work of older artists. For example, a recent exhibition entitled “The Difference We’ve Made” featured the work of twenty-three women artists who have been active and successful in New York City’s art world in the 1960s and 1970s[15]. By highlighting the contributions of these groundbreaking artists, the gallery is not only celebrating their individual achievements but also shedding light on the broader history of women in the arts.
A Beacon of Hope and Inspiration
Ultimately, the Carter Burden Gallery stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for older artists and the wider community. By providing a platform for re-emerging artists to share their work and engage in contemporary artistic discourse, the gallery is not only enriching the cultural landscape of New York City but also challenging societal assumptions about aging and creativity.
As artist Peter Malone, who has exhibited at the gallery, reflects, “The Carter Burden Gallery is a unique community of senior professional artists. It provides much more than a venue for exhibition. It is a supportive and affirming space for the artists to share their work and their passion, a love for art.”[3]
In a world that often prioritizes youth and novelty, the Carter Burden Gallery is a vital reminder of the enduring power of art and the importance of lifelong creativity. It is a testament to the resilience and vitality of older artists, and a call to action for all of us to recognize and celebrate their contributions.
Citations: [1] https://www.carterburdengallery.org [2] https://www.carterburdennetwork.org/carterburdengallery [3] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/press [4] https://www.carterburdennetwork.org/testimonials [5] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/upcoming-exhibition [6] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/submissions [7] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/ourmission [8] https://www.npr.org/2018/01/11/573832117/this-new-york-gallery-has-an-unusual-age-limit-no-artists-younger-than-60 [9] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/09/nyregion/at-a-chelsea-art-gallery-an-age-requirement-over-60-only.html [10] https://www.carterburdennetwork.org/history [11] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/current-exhibition [12] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/artists [13] https://www.carterburdennetwork.org [14] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/peter-malone [15] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/october-13-november-9-2022 [16] https://www.carterburdennetwork.org/news-media [17] http://www.kbmatter.com/carter-burden-gallery [18] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/ira-pearlstein [19] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/april-27-may-24-2023 [20] https://www.carterburdengallery.org/charles-ramsburg