Happy Holidays

From the Director's Desk

As we celebrate this holiday season, we at Agora Gallery wish for joy in your hearts and peace in the world. And as we look ahead to the New Year, let us do so with the fervent hope that our days will be guided by the love and respect that we feel for one another the whole year through.

Seasons Greetings and best wishes for every success and happiness.


Angela Di Bello
Director / Agora Gallery

Chelsea 24th International Fine Art Competition Exhibition

Competition Opens February 5, 2009

Since 1984 and as in every past winter holiday season, the buzz of the upcoming 24th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition can be felt throughout the art scene.

On February 5, 2009, Agora Gallery will begin accepting entries for the 24th annual Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. Mr. Ira Goldberg, an influential voice in the New York art world and Executive Director of the Art Students League of New York will jury the contest, which features awards valued at over $38,000.

Fifteen to twenty selected artists will receive one of several prizes: cash prizes, visibility, exposure to the New York art market, internet promotion on the website Art-Mine.com, a review in ARTisSpectrum Magazine or the opportunity to participate in a vibrant group show at Agora Gallery.

All visual artists ages 18 and over are encouraged to enter works of all media, excluding video and performance art, jewelry and crafts.

In the spirit of giving and granting joy to children and teenagers in need, 25% of the gallery’s sale proceeds resulting from artwork sales at the competition exhibition will be donated, to ART START an award-winning and nationally recognized non-profit organization that by bringing together art, artists and under-privileged youth creates meaningful opportunities to share ideas, dreams and instill confidence in the future.

More information about the art competition and entry requirements can be found in the following languages : English, French, Spanish, Italian, Potuguese, German and Japanese

Visual Euphoria

ArtisSpectrum Volume 20 now available!

The recently released 20th issue of ARTisSpectrum and the last for the year 2008 is a must- read for artists and art enthusiasts alike. This fascinating edition contains several unique articles; a view on the neighborhood-redefining piece of urban design which is The High Line Park project in West Chelsea, the goals and challenges of judging fine art competitions in an interview with George Bolge, Director of Boca Raton Museum of Art, by Angela Di Bello, as well as, among others, an astonishing reflection on Neil Young’s musical connection to the visual art world that will surely hit a chord!

Most importantly, with its rich content of 101 artist profiles and exceptional images, this 20th issue of ARTisSpectrum celebrates outstanding talent, deeply inspiring and ever innovative work of the highest level. It could not be easier to keep up to date on the latest happenings in the art scene than with this new edition.

If you are a writer, have a passion for art and wish to contribute an article to the next edition, ARTisSpectrum is accepting submissions for the Spring Issue. Submissions should have a broad and universal appeal, and should not contain promotional material. Please see our Submissions form.

Artist Spotlight - Marisa Atha

Seizing the opportunity to be seen in the Chelsea art scene is one that the artist Marisa Atha could not resist. After being one of last year’s selected artists, she elected to be represented by Agora Gallery.

California native Marisa Atha has traveled across three continents to over twenty countries to capture cityscapes and landscapes with her digital camera. A "seeker of cultures, art forms, languages, music and general samplings of the plentiful social traditions and interactions within grasp," she captures these subtle tones and flavors in her photos and reveals new facets of the worlds she traverses to her viewers. Using a keen eye for perspective and deft enhancement techniques, she makes the intangible tangible...and memorable.

"Deboarding the plane from California, I was curious whether the trip, and the gallery specifically, would live up to my expectations. I walked into the evening reception for the 23rd Chelsea International Art Competition Exhibition, and realized just how honored I was to show my work in such a place. Agora Gallery is a stark, beautiful canvas just waiting to adorn itself with the artwork of the most talented modern artists from so many different countries. This competition allowed me the opportunity to later become represented by the gallery for a year, which I was happy to accept. Working with such a professional and gifted staff has, and will be, my pleasure." (Marisa Atha, USA)

The Chelsea Perspective

Chelsea NYC is a wonderful place to visit during the holiday season. Nightlife, art, shopping and recreation at the Piers, Chelsea has it all.

Located right in the heart of Chelsea, Agora Gallery is a great starting point to explore the most exciting art district in the world. With almost 500 galleries, Chelsea is the major art district in NYC. Located between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue, from 14th Street to 34th, the art galleries in Chelsea show mainly the work of emerging and recently established artists.

The Chelsea Gallery District is roughly confined by 29th street in the North, 13th street in the South,11th Avenue in the West and 7th Avenue in the East.