New Kid on the Block: One Art Space

The Warren Street storefronts of Tribeca Space have been dormant for so long that you might be surprised to see one has come to life: It’s a new gallery, One Art Space. The primary forces behind it are founder Dan (Danny) Giella and director Elizabeth (Lili) Villar. “We’ve been friends for 26 years, ever since attending the same art school,” says Villar. And for as long as they can remember, they’ve wanted to open a gallery together. So when Giella’s graphic design firm, Giella Design, did the marketing materials for Tribeca Space—whose landlord Brad Thurman wanted to kickstart those dormant storefronts—well, the time seemed as right as it would ever be.

Felipe Herrera installing one of his artworks

Because Villar is originally from Venezuela, they were tempted to specialize in Latin American art. Worrying it would be too limiting, they decided instead to focus on contemporary art (from the 1970s onward). Villar looks forward to leveraging all the contacts she has made during her time as cultural attaché to the Venezuelan Mission to the U.N., the British Council’s director of international relations, and development director for the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas.

The back third of the 1,700-square-foot gallery won’t just be office; it’ll also be where they show video art. “Video, installations, sculptures—we want to do everything,” says Giella. The premiere exhibit, a solo show by Venezuelan artist Felipe Herrera, mixes sculpture, painting, and installation. The works were still being installed when I was there earlier today, but you can get a sense of his work from the photos. “We always wanted him for our first show,” says Villar. Stop by the opening and see why: The reception is tomorrow (Thursday, May 26), from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We hope to be part of the community, to work with local merchants,” says Giella, explaining how when he went to talk with the folks at New York Vintners, they offered to donate wine for the opening. And, having noticed a thing or two about their new neighborhood, he and Villar are working on starting programs for kids: Giella’s wife is a special-education teacher, and a good friend is an art therapist.

One Art Space is at 23 Warren (bet. Church and Broadway), 917-376-0147, oneartspace.com. It’ll be open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and by appointment.

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10 Comments

  1. Good luck on tomorrows reception!!!

  2. Hola Felipe y Laura,
    el sitio, la galería, las obras y todo se ve muy bien,
    Suerte mañana y pendientes para escuchar las historias.
    Saludos, Miguel Acosta

  3. FELICITACIONES A ESE GRAN MAESTRO DE LA PLÁSTICA VENEZOLANA Y ORGULLO DE NUESTRO PAÍS.
    ESPERO QUE TENGAS TODO EL ÉXITO COMO SIEMPRE .
    RECIBE MI MAS GRANDE RESPETO Y ADMIRACIÓN
    DIANA LANDER

  4. HI Guys,

    Bueno Suerte!!!!! Good Luck!!! Congratulations!!!!! This is going to be great!!!!

    I am behind you all the way!!!!

    Ed

  5. Hola Felipe, manana estaremos acompanandote en este gran evento…muchas felicitaciones .

  6. Felicitaciones a Dan y Lily por el logro tras años de sueños, lo bueno se hace esperar, mi corazón lleno de orgullo se encuentra en ese nuevo espacio para los vecinos de Tribeca.

  7. MUCHO ÉXITO!
    MUCHA ALEGRÍA Y LA MEJOR ENERGÍA DEL MUNDO!
    ABRAZOS

    GOOD LUCK!!!!!

  8. Excelente trabajo! sin palabras mejor imposible. Recibe un abrazo y todo lo mejor te lo mereces.

  9. Felito congratulations!!!!!

  10. ¡Que alegria! Te mereces lo mejor por tu empeño y tu obra siempre en crecimiento. Abrazos a Lily