KCAI Collector Art Trip
Private Art Collections & Artist Studio Visits curated by Toma Wolff
FEB 16-20, 2025
supporting living artists through collector experiences
$3,000 Trip includes 3 full-days of private curated visits, daily lunches & dinners, ground transportation (once you arrive at hotel) and VIP tickets to Frieze and Felix Art Fair*. Hotel & Airfare not included.
note: Art Fairs will be running Feb 20-23 so if you want stay for those please consider extending your trip.
ARTISTS WE WILL MEET
Three incredible Artists have invited us into their private studios! These visits not only UNVEIL finished pieces that the public hasn'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 have to visit a KCAI Alumni, and we are 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 WILL VISIT
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 and listened to the video of him on "LA Stories" below. We think you will get pretty excited too!
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 told us we had to meet and see the art collection of LA Art Advisor, Victoria Burns. 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 are very excited to have this experience with her.
WHAT ELSE WE WILL DO
PRIVATE GALLERY VIEWINGS
Nazarian/Curcio, Roberts Projects, Vielmetter & Nicodim are a few of the LA galleries presenting hand-selected art, for our private viewings. Some artists that will be featured are Annie Lapin, Kour Pour & Moffat Takadiwa.
FUN FINE DINING
We are mapping out some great dining spots for our guests. We will visit areas like; the Arts District, Downtown, on the north side in Frogtown, near our hotel off Sunset and Hollywood Blvd and as we pass through Brentwood and Beverly Hills.
STAY LONGER & SEE MORE ART
Our trip ends on Feb 20 but the Art Fairs will only be starting. Our trip includes VIP passes to Frieze & Felix Art. If you want to attend these fairs please make sure you book a longer hotel stay. Toma's Team will be staying for the fairs and will be available for one-on-one bookings with where clients are guided through the fair and meet gallerists based on their interest. (see more info below)
The sixth edition of Frieze Los Angeles returns to Santa Monica Airport from February 20-23, 2025 and will feature 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 includes VIP passes for the fair and starts on the final day of our trip.
From February 19–23, 2025 the Felix Art Fair will also open its doors. At this fair, galleries present art inside the rooms & suites of the historic Roosevelt Hotel located on the famous Hollywood Blvd. Conversations happen in the buzzing halls and at poolside in this lively and festive atmosphere. Our trip includes VIP tickets to this fair.
Toma will have a few time slots available over the course of the 3 days of the fairs. These are one-on-one tours through the fairs where you will meet gallerists and be able to have access to artwork that isn't availabe to the public. If you want to book a time slot on any of these three days contact her below.
WHERE WE WILL STAY
The Sunset Marquis, West Hollywood’s Lush Oasis To The Stars, is where we will be returning from the hustle & bustle of art. The hotel offers an on site restaurant and bar, a heated pool and spa for the end of the day. If you are signing up for the trip, you will receive a discounted group rate. Just click the button book. Please note that the booking link is set to check out Feb 24. This way those that want to stay receive the extended group discount. If you want to leave earlier, then just change your check out date. Reach out with any questions.
MEET YOUR 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
Please sign up for our newsletter or reachout to Toma so you can stay up-to-date on our trip itinerary, as we continue to finalize visits with artists, galleries, restaurant, customized tours and more.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, requests or special arrangements you need us to consider, please contact us below.
KCAI Collector Art Tour
Los Angeles, Feb 16-20, 2025!
