Art lovers fill Artifacts Lanier gallery on opening night

Written by The Darien Times
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 16:55

Patrons and art lovers packed the new Artifacts Lanier gallery during its grand opening event on Oct. 10. The new gallery features a mix of old masters and contemporary art that hang side-by-side in the three gallery spaces within.

More than 150 attendees, including some of the area’s most notable artists and musicians, were on hand to toast the opening of the new gallery, which is quickly becoming a noted resource for interior designers and art consultants.

Artifacts Lanier has been open less than a month in Darien, but the history of the firm goes back to the mid-1970s when owners Mitche and Helen Kunzman began their careers as specialists working in the fields of the old masters and Asian art. Their parent company, Artifacts Collections of New York Inc., has a long list of prestigious clients in the realm of art advisory and interior design across the U.S., but for the first time this company has opened its doors to the public. Artifacts Lanier will be offering original artwork, art collections services and highly-distinctive framing and art conservation to high museum standards.

Mitchie was trained in the field of Indian miniature painting and old master drawings and prints and in the early 1980s, and had worked as head consultant with London-based auction house Phillips, Son and Neale on its string of successful sales of Indian miniature paintings in New York City. Helen is an experienced conservator of works of art on paper.

The gallery currently has two exhibits on view through Nov. 22. “Next to Dürer: Old Masters & Contemporary Masters,” includes works by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Ellsworth Kelly, Gerhard Richter, Nils Hill, Sergio Gonzalez-Tornero and Torrance York. “Naturally Sublime: Recently Discovered Drawings” features landscapes and tree studies by the 19th Century Belgian landscape painter, Jean Michael Cels (1819-1894).

Upcoming shows include “Inclusion” from Nov. 25 through the beginning of January; and “Kissed by Genius: Artist and Inspiration” on Jan. 8.

Artifacts Lanier is at 979 Post Road (next to Brooks Brothers) and is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 to 6, Sunday from noon to 5, and Monday and Tuesday by appointment. Call 202-7665 or visit artifactslanier.com.