Bowery Art Collective Offers Young Artists ‘a foot in’ the Art World

The Bowery Art Collective is giving “unknown artists” a chance to essentially get that foot in the art world.

“In the art world, it’s all about who you know,” Khalid Khashoggi said. “People don’t value art unless it comes with a big name. We’re in that sort of shadowy area where most art collectors wouldn’t even bother to come and visit. It’s difficult, but it’s still worth the effort because [these students] are creative souls.”

And at a time when art is being taken out of so many schools, a place like Bowery Art Collective is much needed, Arianna Astuni added.

Khashoggi and Astuni have offered the space at their test prep company, IES Test Prep, which they began in 2003, for the Bowery Art Collective, a student-driven art gallery.

“A lot of our students happen to be artists we [learned] by talking to them and seeing their portfolios,” Khashoggi said, noting some “had extensive artwork that they were not able to exhibit anywhere” because of the novice factor.

Khashoggi and Astuni approached their students with the idea of doubling their classroom idea as gallery space.

“They loved the idea ... that’s basically how we came across the idea, just by accident,” Khashoggi said.

The Bowery Art Collective not only offers a space for up-and-coming artists, it pro- vides the student experience to enter into an open call submission, experience in describing their art to showcase and experience in pricing their artwork.

“The entire gallery process is streamlined,” Astuni said. “The big difference is [students] get to keep all the [sale] proceeds [of their artwork] if they choose to display and sell their artwork.”

Students have priced their artwork from a range of $50 to $2,000. Normal galleries would charge 50% of artist sale, Khashoggi said, due to gallery rental space. At Bowery, the students get to keep 100% of their proceeds.

“We don’t have a gallery cost since the school is paying for rent,” Khashoggi said. “We make our money from teaching math and English so this is really a place to benefit the kids. The artists without incurring any costs.”

For those students who want experience in owning a gallery one day, they can; for those who want experience as a journalist of art, they can; and for those who have culinary interest, they can serve the food at gallery openings, Astuni said.

“The Bowery Art Collective offers intern programs for every aspect of an art gallery,” she said, adding opportunities are boundless. “We are here to help students and as educators, we are kind of always bent that way.”

The concept of a student-driven art gallery started before the pandemic, which delayed their initial launch of the art collective.

“During that time, we had an online gallery where students submitted and posted artwork online,” Khashoggi said. “However, [the students] wanted a physical space and we were finally able to have our opening reception on March 23.”

The day’s proceedings included a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by Downtown Metuchen Alliance Executive Director Isaac Kremer and officiated by Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch. Among the attending guests were Robert Diken from Friends of Metuchen Arts Council and other members of the local art community.

That evening on March 23, the Collective hosted a reception for the exhibition, which was open to the public.

The inaugural show with the theme “Hope” included 40 pieces of artwork from 30 students, who are either in college or high school. Four pieces of artwork sold during the show.

Metuchen High School art instructor Kelly Murphy promoted the venue among her students, several of whom submitted artworks for the inaugural show. On June 4, MHS held its end-of-the-year art show at the Collective.

“We are very fortunate to have collaborated with Khalid and the Bowery Art Collective on the Advanced Student Art Show that featured artworks created by our students in the National Art Honor Society and advanced-level art classes in their beautiful new gallery space,” she said. “It is just as important for students to learn how to work as a professional artist as it is to create art.”

Students played an active role in presenting, framing, curating and hanging their artwork for the exhibition. Students also selected artworks to edition and sell at the gallery. In addition to gaining this valuable real-world experience, students were able to share their meaningful works of art beyond the high school and with the greater Metuchen community.

“We are so excited to have found an organization like the Bowery Art Collective that shares our vision and are grateful to their support of our emerging artists.”

Jasmine Chen, 19, is a rising junior in college. She submitted one piece of artwork, but was able to showcase three of her art pieces – “I, Alone,” “Jaden” and “Loving; Talking,” a sculptural piece – during the inaugural art show.

“I was looking for art galleries to submit my artworks to because I wanted to start showcasing and selling my artworks,” she said. “Bowery Art Collective was one of the first results that popped up. I saw some artworks on the website that were from other LaGuardia students, I graduated from LaGuardia High School [in New York], so I thought I’d submit.”

Chen said the reception was “very fun” getting to meet other artists and people who enjoy engaging in the field of visual arts.

“Especially reconnecting with those from the same high school. Getting to meet others and hear about their inspirations, their passions, their aspirations and their histories is very enjoyable for me,” she said. “It creates a community, although small, scattered and vaguely connected, that makes me proud and excited to be an artist in New York City. The people and places they’re from become less anonymous and more welcoming when I have some insight into the lives that live there,” she said.

Michelle Shum, 19, is a freshman at Stony Brook University in New York.

“I heard about Bowery Art Collective through a friend of mine,” she said. “She heard news about Khalid’s interest in opening a platform for young student-artists who have a passion for creativity. After hearing this, I wanted to contribute my knowledge as a student and young artist to build this community. I had been inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bowery Art Collective, which brings me to my current relationship with the collective.”

Shum submitted two of her art pieces – “When the Clouds Clear” (acrylic on canvas) and “A Walk on Water” (oil on panel).

“It was fulfilling for me to see so many art enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds,” she said. “This community brought so much warmth and excitement to the table, it deepened my relationship with the Bowery Art Collective and art making altogether. I had never taken part in any experience like this and conversing with strangers who analyzed my art was confounding.”

The Bowery Art Collective plans to host additional themed art shows every three months. Submissions are open to all young student-artists.

For more information about the Bowery Art Collective at 335 Main St., visit www.boweryartcollective.com.

Kathy Chung

0884 Summer 2022 Issue - Breaking Barriers in Metuchen

Press release 3/27/22

BOWERY ART COLLECTIVE Youth Showcase Debuts in Metuchen

"Bowery Art Collective," the first of its kind student art show had its opening reception in the heart of Metuchen on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at the home of IES Test Prep (www.iestestprep.com).

The day’s proceedings included a ribbon cutting ceremony organized by Downtown Metuchen Alliance Executive Director Isaac Kremer and officiated by Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch. Among the attending guests were Robert Diken from Friends of Metuchen Arts Council, and other members of the local art community. Bowery Art Collective would like to thank the Arts Council for their invaluable curating advice.

That evening, the Collective hosted a reception for the exhibition, which was open to the public. Bowery Art Collective would like to thank Metuchen High School art instructor Kelly Murphy for promoting the venue among her students, several of whom submitted artworks to the exhibition. The following MHS students have artworks currently on exhibit at the Collective: Alex Lipshutz, Samira Bahridinova, Jordan Cully, Val Zamora, Natalie Clark and Kayla Gawronski.

The Bowery Art Collective is the brainchild of IES Test Prep's CEO, Khalid Khashoggi and the company's President, Arianna Astuni. The arts initiative was developed to support and inspire emerging student artists by providing a much-needed showcase for young people’s talents. The Collective has notable objectives that include helping students to sell their art and raise money for college, establish young artists in the art world, and provide opportunities for them to interact with buyers, press, academics, and art enthusiasts. Bowery Art Collective is also a positive step towards promoting youth to pursue a career in the visual arts. In addition to artists from MHS and several other school systems, two of the resident artists that are on display are Michelle Shum of Stony Brook University, and Jasmine Chen of Tufts University.

IES Test Prep has long been a tutoring company that has prepared countless students for successful college careers. They have been an active business in Metuchen since 2007.  Their interest in supporting the arts is a natural part of their overall business model to help students achieve their goals.

Bowery Art Collective will hold gallery hours every Saturday from 2pm to 6pm beginning April 16th, 2022