Art She says

Whenever I am in New York, I always try to find a little treasure of the art world, and on this exploration, I came across a unique space that is the physical extension of an online digital magazine called Art She Says. Conceived and established by Eliza Ali, the magazine was created to empower and exhibit women in the art world to give them a vehicle and a voice to share their work. Female artists are abundant and overflowing with talent, but they’ve frequently been overshadowed by their more prominent male counterparts. Art She Says’ mission is to bring these women to the forefront and expose them as the true ‘artrepreneurs’ that they are.

Eliza Ali in the Salon - Photo: Mouty Shackelford

The digital magazine now has a brick and mortar location, located in the corner of historic West Village, that allows for intimate gatherings and artist talks, and also serves as a focal point to display many of the works and luxury collectibles that are highlighted within the magazine’s pages. Eliza walked me through the salon itself, which feels like a welcoming, contemporary Parisian sitting room, if that sitting room were adorned with stunning framed art on every wall.  Eliza discussed their Collector’s Club, an exclusive membership club that is designed for women, by women, to give the member artists a chance to meet each other, attend Art She Says’ monthly salon series and other private viewings, cocktail hours, and invite-only dinners.

The Salon at Art She Says. West Village, New York - Photo: Mouty Shackelford
A company that is called Art SHE Says may not strike you as being one that would be inclusive of men. Eliza points out that while their mission is to promote and empower female artists, there are a growing number of male and non-binary collectors who want to incorporate more works from female artist into their portfolios.  So they do have men who visit the salon (and subscribe to the publication) as well, but one thing is consistent above all else: All of the works they show, sell, and curate are created by female artists.
There is a huge, untapped reservoir of talented female artists in the world, and with a mission statement as bold and empowering as theirs, I wondered how Art She Says goes about selecting the art and the artists for both the magazine and for the walls of the salon. Eliza says that it is a mixture of referrals and submissions. Like a traditional gallerist or collector, so much of the art they choose to show is the art they find organically and fall in love with. She and her team will also accept referrals from trusted sources, and occasionally, a previously unknown creator will self-submit and blow everyone away.
Art by Anna Pietrzak & Rebbecca Brodskis
Photo: Mouty Shackelford
As a female artist myself, I wanted to know why she believes that more women haven’t been elevated to the “Master” level as men have, and why so few women seem to be represented by major galleries. Eliza acknowledged that there is a bit of male artist bias, but she doesn’t think it is always conscious bias. As a champion of women artists and a collector herself she always reminds women to show off and say who you are while being proud that you’re an artist.
My meeting with Art She Says took place on a gorgeous summer afternoon, and that was fortunate, because Eliza’s final stop on the tour was quite possibly the best hidden jewel of her salon: a rooftop balcony that overlooks the bustling city streets below, with just enough room for a small gathering of friends to take in the breeze and clink glasses. While we were enjoying the view, she mentioned that she feels like she rarely leaves her Soho / West Village bubble, but once we got to talking about some of the destinations that I planned to visit next, she displayed an incredible wealth of knowledge about the best restaurants, art installations, galleries, and places to grab an afternoon cocktail on an open-air patio.
The salon itself seems to already be garnering a lot of buzz, both online and locally. Eliza confirmed that the response has been great so far, and that people have been very receptive to the concept and have been booking times to come and see the space and view the art, even with the current restrictions that have been in place during the pandemic. In addition to the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to businesses that have an ‘in-person’ component, I wondered if she thought it was harder to build a business and brand in New York, compared to other markets? Eliza’s response was immediate and emphatic. “No, not at all!”
The Salon Balcony
Photo: Mouty Shackelford
She suggested that it might actually be easier to build a business in the City, because ‘one year in New York is like five years anywhere else.’ With so much happening here all the time, and with millions of people that can be exposed to your company in a very short amount of time, she believes that opening a business in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, or other major market could actually be more difficult. Though Eliza considers herself a natural introvert, she forces herself to network and attend events, which has made a huge impact on their rapid success.

Born in New York, Eliza has travelled and lived on both coasts throughout her life, but finds that no place feels more like “home” than right here in Manhattan. Ms. Ali says that she does not view herself as an artist; she simply loves to collect, support, and elevate the art of women that she admires.

Art She Says’ salon is open by appointment to novice and seasoned collectors. Eliza’s Art She Says team also offers advisory and curatorial services to hotels, galleries, and to both commercial and private clients.

To subscribe to the Digital magazine, please go to www.ArtSheSays.com

Mouty Shackelford, Owner - Artsy Scoop
Article: Mouty Shackelford