GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Brooklynite Gallery – Hope McGrath

G Fuser Profiles! Stats
Name: Hope McGrath
Current Global Location: Brooklynite Gallery, Bedford-Styuvesant Brooklyn, New York
I rep for: Africa (Burundi), Italy & Germany

My Global Fusion: A former fashion producer & publicist, I now co-own an art gallery with my husband Rae.  I have a strong passion for fashion, art and all true artists.  I love being surrounded by creativity, that could be one reason why I married my husband, the most creative artist I know.  It seems like fashion & art coincide beautifully.

Personal stats: I’m a proud mama of our 2 year old daughter Ruby Angelina.  She is the ultimate Global Fusion girl, as her heritage is African, Italian, German, Greek & Irish.  A crazy mix!

Down with: h2empower.org, a nonprofit I started with my mother, Helen Boxwill to benefit education in Africa. We are building libraries in Ethiopia, sending books and improving education. WomenforWomen.org, an organization helping impoverished women in war-torn countries get back on their feet. Doctorswithoutborders.org — Support doctors saving lives all over the world.
Go To: Brooklynite Gallery

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  1. Proudest Moment: Our premiere opening for the BAST "Nose Candy" show.  The next was our jam packed show for AIKO with Soul Sonic Force rockin' the crowd.
  2. Lowest moment: Rebuilding and designing the building that houses Brooklynite Gallery.  I don't do well with construction and dust everywhere, with a baby to boot!
  3. Keep this between us: but I secretly like to  be fluent in three or more languages, plus attend the Paris couture and actually own a few couture garments.
  4. My passion for photography, fashion, music & the arts_comes from my grandmother's elegance, innate style and love of all beautiful things.
  5. I am most satisfied when: my family & friends are happy & healthy
  6. I am least satisfied when: things in life don't go as planned
  7. Love is: beautiful, sacred
  8. Hate is: only negativity
  9. Freedom is: necessary in life, the most amazing feeling ever.
  10. Fear Is: natural, something worth striving to overcome
  11. I'd rather travel: than stay static
  12. I can't live without: my husband, my daughter, my family & friends
  13. I can live without: cleaning the house & dishes.  I need a maid!
  14. My Heros: My mother & grandparents are my heros.   Oprah inspires me too!

Top 3 places to checkout where I live /or top 3 things that I like to do in general:
1) BreadStuy - a cozy little neighborhood cafe in Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.  The chai lattes are my favorite, with great pastries too.
2) Gyu-Kaku - delicious japanese BBQ in the East Village/ Cooper Square
3) Shopping in Nolita.  Love all the boutiques filled with emerging designers.

Top 3 things to avoid where I live/ or top 3 things that i like to avoid in general:
1) The bodega on Malcolm X Blvd & Bainbridge.
2) Taking the subway after 10pm to Bed Stuy
3)  Taking the subway during rush hour with a baby in a stroller

My favorite vacation spot is: Milarepa in Malpais, Costa Rica

Top 3 things to checkout at my favorite vacation spot:
1) The Milarepa hotel itself is fabulous, with dream-like private bungalows on the beach
2) the roadside sodas are great
3) hiking in the mountains nearby, seeing monkeys in the woods and then ending up at the most beautiful secluded beach between mountains with no one in sight.

My dream vacation spot that I have not been yet : Bali & Fuji...I am dying to stay in those bungalows in the middle of the ocean.  I also wouldn't mind staying at Richard Branson's private island for a few days! :)

Business/ Profile

What got you started in the Art world?
My husband Rae McGrath.  As an artist with business acumen, Rae decided to start Brooklynite Gallery.  I became his partner to handle the press, produce the opening and the oversee business side of things.

What is your favorite & least favorite part of your business?
I love producing the art openings and hearing how everyone loves the art & what we do.  I do not like all the necessary paperwork.

What did you do before you got into Art?
I owned my own fashion production company entitled ASHA.

What types of artists do you feature in your gallery?
The pioneer gall Brooklynite Gallery's mission is to showcase artists who continue to defy the terms of 'traditional'. While we usually gravitate towards some form of Pop Art---  with a 'street art' edge, the most important factor we take into consideration is work that has a PRESENCE; work that seeks to reintroduce to the public just what art was meant to be... consumed by the masses."

What are some of the highs & lows as a young/new gallery trying to get exposure &  sell art?
The highs are having selling out shows, especially with the fact that our first show sold out in 20 minutes. Rae is especially creative on our marketing front, yet on the flip side, it is difficult to introduce emerging, relatively unknown artists to our market.  Many of our clients purchase work with a major international buzz. We have to help our new artists take it to a new level.

What makes your gallery & location unique?
Brooklynite Gallery is the pioneer gallery in Bed-Stuy--- the only building in the area with a sleek, modern design, plus we have an outdoor space that is transformed for every show.  Malcolm X Blvd. is an unlikely location for a modern art gallery, but that seems to attract our international artists and clients.  They consider it cool, which is funny.  So in the end, the 'hood' in some aspects, has helped the business, though it does pose challenges, as one can imagine.  We do have serious art collectors from uptown wondering how dangerous it would be if they took a subway here.  We ensure that all is well, as the neighborhood has greatly improved over the last three years we have been here.  They end up taking the trek here and saying it wasn't that bad at all.  :)

  1. Deedee Rei says:
    2010.06.06 at 11:52 pm

    Regardless if political, religious, gender,size, race- Doesn’t everybody deserve the chance to be who they are? Let’s not make anyone feel bad they’re something else.

  2. Michelle Francoise says:
    2010.11.28 at 11:21 pm

    Hello Hope, I used to intern with u @ ASHA while i was in college. You have inspired me to pursue a career in event production. I am thrilled to see that you have opened a gallery and now have a new addition to your family….I just want to thank you for opening up the doors and for helping me shape my career goals. i now live in North Carolina; I will be in NY for the holidays and will visit the gallery…

  3. Floyd Brautigam says:
    2011.04.24 at 10:41 pm

    Hi there, I discovered your site by means of Google while searching for a similar topic, your web site got here up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  4. yo says:
    2011.05.23 at 12:43 am

    the best video ever !!!!!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiavGsI0R_Y&feature=channel_video_title

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