Mission
Our mission is to support and empower emerging artists by connecting them with new and experienced collectors alike, while ensuring artists receive the majority sales price of their work. Founded by three artists, we understand the challenges of navigating the art world and breaking into the art market. We decided to create something that would provide the support we believe is missing to artists at a critical moment in their careers. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse range of emerging talents with a focus on U.S. based and American artists. With our collective backgrounds as painters, interdisciplinary artists, curators, and arts administrators, we are able to take a holistic approach to everything we do. We look for exceptional quality work from artists with a proven track record of commitment to their practices.In addition to financial support from sales, we provide artists with opportunities to grow their practices, expand their networks, and engage with broader audiences to help them establish a market, gain visibility, and achieve their professional aspirations. By acting as a dynamic network managing artwork sales and pop-up exhibitions, we are committed to creating pathways for success, driven by the needs and growth of the artists we serve.
Vision
Our aim is to support artists through partnership. By navigating the challenges of marketing, selling, and placing work, we help artists spend more time in the studio while providing income, market visibility, and tangible support in their career aspirations acting as liaisons, curators, and professional references. Focusing on a personalized experience we envision a dialogue developing between Fresh Gesso, featured artists, and our network of collectors, so that each work is thoughtfully placed. While currently decentralized, we are planning future pop up exhibitions with the hope for a brick and mortar one day.Consulting
Along with our services for artists, we offer an art consulting service for collectors. We bring your vision to life by matching your preferences and tastes with exceptional pieces. We help connect incredible artists with excellent collectors to help build the relationship between them. You can reach out to us for this service by email or through our contact form. In addition to this service, we also can provide customized 3D renderings to help visualize artwork in your space. Just reach out to us with the artwork you are interested in along with photos of your space and dimensions.Learn more about our consulting services.
Meet Our Team
Luke Whittaker
Founder & Curator
Luke Whittaker (b. Toronto, ON) is an emerging curator and interdisciplinary artist based in Kingston, NY. He received his Masters in Curation from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (2024), and his BFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI (2020). Notable projects include Promenade: Flowers and Figuration in the Marieluise Hessel Collection at the Hessel Museum, Bard College (2024) and Biomes at the Hessel Museum, Bard College (2024).
luke@freshgesso.com
Grace Whittaker
Founder & Director of Operations
Grace Whittaker, our Director of Operations (b. Toronto, ON) is an artist and arts administration professional based in Beacon, NY. She received her BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University in 2024. Alongside her role at FG, she maintains a studio painting practice and directs an artist-in-residence program supporting creatives whose work is grounded in impact.
grace@freshgesso.com
Abbi Kenny
Founder, Director & Artist Liaison
Abbi Kenny (b. Boston, MA) is an emerging artist and painter living and working in Kingston, NY. She received her MFA in painting from Boston University College of Fine Arts (2024) and her BFA with honors in painting and a minor in the Theory and History of Art and Design from the Rhode Island School of Design (2020).
abbi@freshgesso.com