The spirit of collaboration is alive in New York with a group of small galleries joining forces to open two unrelated shared spaces. The first, a partnership between JDJ, Deanna Evans Projects and the new Chozick Family Art Gallery, launched in January with all three sharing JDJ’s current home on the second floor of 370 Broadway in Tribeca, each exhibiting on a monthly rotation. For the second collaboration, Proxyco is moving in with Instituto de Visión, exhibiting concurrently on the fifth floor of 88 Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side, a joint venture that will open 27 February.
The idea for JDJ, Deanna Evans Projects and Chozick Family Art Gallery to share JDJ’s existing space came from Jayne Johnson. The dealer founded JDJ six years ago in Garrison, north of New York City, and opened in Tribeca in 2021. “Collaboration and creative thinking are key to the future of our industry,” Johnson tells The Art Newspaper. “This shared space model allows me to spend more time with my artists and clients, to focus on projects outside of New York, and to give an opportunity to the next generation of women art dealers.” The three will alternate programming monthly and share a private viewing room and offices.
For Deanna Evans, who launched her gallery four years ago, operating in Brooklyn for one year and Tribeca for the past three, the shared endeavour gives her access to a larger exhibition space and reduces overheads. Indeed, splitting finances is a major benefit as operation costs, such as rent, shipping and participating in art fairs, increase across the industry. Amid a period of several years in which New York galleries resembled revolving doors of new businesses opening and existing ones closing, it comes as no surprise that dealers are seeking flexible models.
There is also the added benefit of camaraderie. “I admire and respect both of these women and I am excited to be able to lean on each other for advice and support,” says Evans, who will present a solo show of haunting landscapes by Tess Bilhartz from 4 February to 1 March.
‘Mutual trust and support’
For Rebekah Chozick, partnering with Evans and Johnson expedited plans to open her new venture, Chozick Family Art Gallery, after spending several years working for other galleries, most recently as sales director at Rachel Uffner.
“I’m a new mother balancing the needs of my family while establishing my business,” Chozick says. “With just four on-site exhibitions in 2025, I will be able to dedicate deep attention to make each show impactful. I will also be able to travel more and participate in art fairs, widening visibility for my programme and artists. This feels important in response to the demands of today’s market.”
While Chozick, Evans and Johnson are operating on a rotating model, Instituto de Visión and Proxyco will exhibit concurrently, potentially collaborating on future shows. “As galleries owned and operated by Latin American women, we have always shared a special bond of mutual trust and support,” say Alexandra Morris and Laura Saenz, co-founders of Proxyco. Prior to partnering with Instituto de Visión, Proxyco was located on nearby Orchard Street. When that lease ended, Instituto de Visión co-founders Beatríz López and Omayra Alvarado-Jensen suggested Proxyco move in. Instituto de Visión had been sharing its space with Revolver Galería since 2022, but the latter recently left to open in another location in New York.
After renovations by Morris Adjmi Architects, the shared space will include redesigned offices, artwork storage and a private viewing room, as well as two galleries of different sizes that flow into one another. Proxyco and Instituto de Visión will exhibit simultaneously with one in each gallery, which Morris and Saenz believe will “strengthen our programmes and establish 88 Eldridge Street as a vibrant and critical place to gain a great understanding of the diverse field of contemporary Latin American art”. For the first shows, Proxyco will present work by Camilo Godoy in the front gallery and Instituto de Visión will showcase Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez in the back.
The two businesses expect the joint venture to combine their collector bases and professional networks. Like Chozick, Evans and Johnson, Proxyco and Instituto de Visión underscore the benefits of sharing costs. “From the perspective of a small business, the collaboration will not only lessen the burden of rent, but also free up resources for a broader spectrum of initiatives in support of our artists,” Morris and Saenz say. “This will empower us to participate in art fairs in new markets, support research and scholarship on our artists, present performances and more public programming, the list goes on and on.”
