KCAI Collector Art Trip
Private Art Collections & Artist Studio Visits curated by Toma Wolff
FEB 16-20, 2025
supporting living artists through collector experiences
ARTISTS WE MET
Three incredible Artists invited us into their private studios! Artist studio visits not only UNVEIL finished pieces that the public haven't seen yet, it also reveals the evolution of their IDEAS, the MAKING of the work, and the personal NARRATIVE behind every FORM, making these visits incredibly UNIQUE and ENRICHING.
Todd Gray
American photographer, Todd Gray is based between Los Angeles and Akwidaa, Ghana—is renowned for his photo assemblages, and delves deep into topics of African diaspora, colonialism, and cultural beliefs.
Toma has been obsessed with Todd since her first encounter with his work at the NYC Whitney Museum 2019 Biennial. "I'd never seen anything like it before... the way he plays with scale...the near and far.... the micro and macro... it makes me feel like I'm on a scavenger hunt. I met him at Miami Basel a couple years ago and his warm personality made me determined to create this 2025 trip to LA around visiting Todd and I am so thrilled he said yes!" - TW . learn more
Suchitra Mattai
"My primary pursuit is to give voice to people whose voices were once quieted. Using both my own family’s ocean migrations and research on the period of colonial indentured labor during the 19th Century, I seek to expand our sense of “history.”
"Visiting Suchitra in her studio is a "come alive" experience. You get a sneak peak, meet her team and witness how the raw materials she gathers are transformed into mesmerizing works of art. She is constantly surprising me and I know it will be a visit that will not be forgotten." - TW Artnet Article
NEHEMIAH CISNEROS
Of course we had to visit a KCAI Alumni, and were thrilled Nehemiah said yes. His paintings bring to life magnified expressions of humanity through grotesquely exaggerated renderings of authority figures and icons. His work merges the graphic aesthetics of 1990s skateboard graphics with the theatrical scale of Baroque painting from the 1600s.
"Nehemiah's work captures the bold, exaggerated essence of life through a graphic style influenced by pop culture. He was a rising star during his time at KCAI, and we can’t wait to catch up with him and experience his latest work." - CB see instagram
COLLECTORS WE VISITED
Jarl Mohn with Michael Heizer, Scoria Negative Wall Sculpture, 2007 (mid) John McCracken,Triton, 2000 (right home theatre) James Turrell, Picture Plane, 2002-04. Photography by Joshua White. All images courtesy of Jarl Mohn.
Jarl & Pamela Mohn
Within the art world, the Mohns have established themselves as a force in L.A., supporting institutions like the LACMA - Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Hammer Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and more. At LACMA, his family foundation helped the museum acquire Michael Heizer’s 340-ton Levitated Mass (2012). (The work’s journey to LACMA was highly documented at the time.)
The Mohns's preference for Minimalist, Land, and Light/Space/Surface works has informed two personal collections—one based in LA, the other in NY.
Around a decade ago, the couple decided to turn their collecting attention to supporting emerging artists in Los Angeles, collecting the likes of Kandis Williams, Lauren Halsey, Liz Glynn, Math Bass, Todd Gray, and Samara Golden.
Jarl Mohn is the former President and CEO of NPR (National Public Radio), he founded E! Entertainment and is in the ArtNews top 200 Collectors list. Jarl won our hearts when we watched the video of him on "LA Stories" below and won our hearts in person!. We had an inspiring experience!
Victoria Burns
a(rt from left to right) avideo piece by Owen Kydd, smoke tapestry by Pae White and hanging sculpture by Tomás Saraceno
Brooke Kanter, the Head of VIP, Americas for FRIEZE insisted we meet and see the art collection of LA Art Advisor, Victoria Burns. And she was right! Like Toma, art advisors not only find important artworks for their many clients but very often they cannot help themselves when it comes to great art, creating an impressive collection themselves. Victoria works with many of the artists Toma also loves so we were thrilled to see their beautiful home and hear the stories behind their impressive collection.
WHAT ELSE WE DID
visit legendary Gemini G.E.L.
Close-up of Robert Rauschenberg’s hands while working on his Romances series. Photograph © 1977 Sidney B. Felsen
Founded in 1966 and located on Melrose Avenue, Gemini G.E.L. master printers have collaborated with many of the most influential artists of the late twentieth century. They are famously known for extending invitations to some of the best known artists to come out of the 1960s and thereafter: Richard Serra, David Hockney, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Ed Ruscha and, especially, Robert Rauschenberg.
We had the great privilege to experience a private "behind the scenes" tour led by the owners of Gemini GEL and got a peek into the world of the very highest possible level of fine art printmaking.
Richard Serra in the Gemini G.E.L. artist studio, carrying the copper plate for Vesturey I during the proofing session for Afangar Icelandic Series. Photograph © 1990 Sidney B. Felsen
Julie Mehretu painting on a copper plate for Auguries at Gemini G.E.L. Photograph © 2010 Sidney B. Felsen
WE ALSO EXPERIENCED...
PRIVATE GALLERY VIEWINGS
Nazarian/Curcio, Roberts Projects, Vielmetter & Nicodim are a few of the LA galleries that presented hand-selected art, for our private viewings. Some artists that weree featured were Kour Pour, Nate Lewis & Moffat Takadiwa.
FUN FINE DINING
We mapped out unique dining spots for our guests. We visited areas like; the Arts District, Downtown, near our hotel off Sunset and Hollywood Blvd and as we passed through Brentwood and Beverly Hills.
STAY LONGER & SEE MORE ART
Our trip ended on Feb 20 but the Art Fairs only started. Our trip included VIP passes to Frieze & Felix Art Fairs. Toma's Team stayed for the fairs and clients were guided through the fair and met gallerists based on their interest.
The sixth edition of Frieze Los Angeles returned to Santa Monica Airport from February 20-23, 2025 and featured approximately 100 galleries, an expansive program of ambitious installations, collaborations with nonprofit organizations, and pop-ups from some of Los Angeles' most beloved restaurants. note: Our trip included VIP passes for the fair and started on the final day of our trip.
From February 19–23, 2025 the Felix Art Fair opened its doors. At this fair, galleries presented art inside the rooms & suites of the historic Roosevelt Hotel located on the famous Hollywood Blvd. Conversations happened in the buzzing halls and at poolside in this lively and festive atmosphere. Our trip included VIP tickets to this fair.
MEET THE HOSTS
Chadwick Brooks is the Assistant VP of Institutional Advancement at the Kansas City Art Institute. Classically trained at the UMKC Conservatory of Music, he is an avid supporter of art and design education. Chadwick has been part of the thriving Kansas City arts community for over 30 years.
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Toma Wolff is a private Fine Art Advisor and served as Director of the Byron Cohen Gallery in Kansas City for 18 years. She has spent decades fostering national and international artist and gallery relationships and she and her team are curating and arranging all the collector tours, artist studio visits, private gallery appointments and special events.
STAY IN THE LOOP
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