Nicholas Olney and Eric Gleason. Photo by: Ogata Photo.
Kasmin Gallery Closes After 35 Years, Giving Rise to New Venture Olney Gleason
After 35 influential years in the art world, Kasmin Gallery, founded by the late Paul Kasmin in 1989, is closing its doors. Two of its key figures—Nicholas Olney, who joined Kasmin in 2007 and became president in 2020, and Eric Gleason, senior director since 2013—are launching a new gallery, Olney Gleason, set to open this fall. This new venture will continue to represent many of the artists and estates formerly on Kasmin’s roster.
Details about Olney Gleason’s flagship location, inaugural exhibitions, and leadership team will be announced in September.
In a statement, Olney expressed optimism for the future:
“Eric and I are passionately optimistic about the future of our industry. We’re driven by our unwavering belief in artists and an ethos of excellence, integrity, and cooperation shared by our core team. We extend heartfelt gratitude to Kasmin’s founder, the late Paul Kasmin, and everyone who has contributed to the gallery’s story over the years—our colleagues, the incredible artists we’ve had the privilege to represent, and the collectors and collaborators who have helped shape our program. We carry these shared experiences forward with immense appreciation and excitement for what’s to come.”
Gleason also reflected on this pivotal moment:
“It’s time to look ahead, building on what we’ve already forged. This is an unprecedented moment of opportunity in the art world, with a renewed focus on thoughtful programming and an artist-centric model.”
Kasmin Gallery’s journey began in SoHo and moved to Chelsea in 1999, eventually expanding to three spaces there. Paul Kasmin passed away in 2020. The decision to wind down the gallery, which will maintain its offices at 509 West Twenty-Seventh Street for now, was made in close collaboration with his estate.
Olivia Kasmin, Paul’s daughter, shared her sentiments:
“While we’re sad this chapter is closing, I’m grateful to Nick, Eric, and the entire team for building an amazing organization alongside Paul and for their dedication in honoring his legacy over the past five years. I appreciate their commitment to a smooth transition, and I’m confident Paul would be happy the spirit of the gallery will continue. We wish Nick and Eric all the best in this exciting new chapter.”