Meredith Starr and Dayna Levitt are artists behind the Are You There? project, a collaborative initiative born during the pandemic that combines their unique perspectives through visual storytelling. Their journey serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, community, and the endless possibilities within the artistic process.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. The importance of collaboration: Meredith and Dayna reflect on the trust and respect that define their artistic partnership, allowing for open feedback and shared creative vision.

2. The ways in which Meredith and Dayna’s work serves as a gateway to constructed memories and new worlds, encouraging viewers to engage in moments of reflection and observation.

3. Maintaining an organic approach to the creative process, allowing room for exploration and spontaneity without rigid structures.

About Meredith & Dayna -

Meredith Starr, an interdisciplinary artist in New York, and Dayna Leavitt, a photographer in London, are former roommates and started their collaborative project, Are You There?, to stay connected during the pandemic. What started as a daily creative challenge in a time of global uncertainty has transformed into a stunning array of imagined landscapes.

Website: meredithstarr.com/work/are-you-there

IG: @areyouthere_project

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In this episode, Victoria encourages listeners to take space to process their emotions, emphasizing that it’s okay to rest, seek connection, or lean into creative work as a form of healing. She highlights the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply, especially in challenging times. Victoria reminds artists that their creative practice can be a safe space for healing and reflection, and that together, we will rise through compassion, art, and community. She closes with a reminder that each artist's work, voice, and spirit matter, encouraging listeners to focus on what’s within their control and nurture their creative journey with intention.

To join The Visionary Community visit: https://www.visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

About Victoria:

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Since launching VAC in 2020, Fry has worked with hundreds of artists to help them advance their art careers. As part of her mission to increase visibility for artists, she partners with top curators and gallerists to facilitate virtual and in-person exhibitions. Additionally, Fry has been a guest speaker for the Women’s Caucus of Art in Washington D.C, Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, The Artful Collective, and recently served as a juror for Women’s United Art Prize. She hosts the New Visionary Podcast. Fry obtained her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2012 and her MAT from Maine College of Art in 2014.

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In this episode, Victoria shares her insights on building a sustainable art career, emphasizing resilience, self-care, and creative exploration. She discusses the challenges artists face when balancing creative practice with other responsibilities and highlights the importance of taking breaks to recharge. Victoria encourages artists to stay focused on their long-term vision, celebrate small wins, and remember that success is a journey, not a destination.

Here's what we discuss:

1. Building an art career requires resilience and dedication.

2. Taking breaks from your creative work is necessary for growth.

3. Focus on what is within your control in your art career.

4. Celebrate small wins and acknowledge your progress.

To learn more about working with Victoria to transform your art career, visit visionaryartcollective.com/programs

About Victoria:

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Since launching VAC in 2020, Fry has worked with over 300+ artists to help them advance their art careers. As part of her mission to increase visibility for artists, she partners with top curators and gallerists to facilitate virtual and in-person exhibitions. Additionally, Fry has been a guest speaker for the Women’s Caucus of Art in Washington D.C, Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, The Artful Collective, and recently served as a juror for Women’s United Art Prize. She hosts the New Visionary Podcast. Fry obtained her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2012 and her MAT from Maine College of Art in 2014.

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

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Maria Liebana is a contemporary artist based in Queens, NY represented by Kravets Wehby Gallery, whose layered, multimedia collages are inspired by pop-culture, the scenery she encounters daily, and her own life experiences. She shares her journey through art school, the challenges of maintaining a practice, and the importance of community in an artist's life.

Here’s what we discuss :

1. Maria’s reflections on her educational journey, including her time at the Maine College of Art and the importance of setting and redefining personal goals.

2. The significance of building and maintaining an artist community, especially after the transition from art school to the broader art world.

3. Practical advice for emerging artists, including the importance of consistent practice, the role of social media, and the need for supportive relationships.

About Maria -

Maria Yolanda Liebana is a first generation Latinx artist that grew up in Paterson, NJ. She received her BFA from Pratt Institute and her MFA from Maine College of Art. Her work has been exhibited at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Bailey Contemporary Arts, Cambridge Art Association, ICA Portland, Maine, and she had a solo exhibition at Kravets Wehby Gallery in NYC in 2022. Her work is in prominent collections such as the Pizzuti Collection at the Columbus Museum of Art, OH. In 2018 and 2020, she was awarded the Queens Council on the Arts New Works Grant. She has been an artist in residence at Vermont Studio Center, Pickwick Independent Press, and Kates-Ferri Projects (2021). She will be attending Bischcoff Inn micro-residency this summer. Her work is held in private collections in the United States.

Website: marialiebana.com

IG: @yolabola

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Kelly Olshan is a Brooklyn-based artist with a unique approach that blends 3D elements with traditional techniques. In addition to her artistic practice, Kelly serves as a Program Officer at the New York Foudation for the Arts (NYFA), where she helps support artists at various stages of their careers.

Here’s what we discuss :

1. Kelly’s journey as a visual artist, emphasizing that art-making is a dedicated practice and highlighting the importance of defining success in the arts.

2. The evolution of artistic practice and the significance of nurturing connections within the art world

3. Kelly’s experience with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and how it provides essential support for artists.

About Kelly -

Kelly Olshan is a Brooklyn-based visual artist and arts manager. Her 3D paintings, installations, and public art works have been exhibited nationally, most recently in a solo public art installation at the Garment District Alliance's Space for Public Art (New York, NY). Additional solo exhibitions include Earlville Opera House (Earlville, NY), Ground Floor Contemporary (Birmingham, AL), Sean Christopher Gallery (Columbus, OH), and Tucker Cooke Gallery (Asheville, NC). Her work has been included in group exhibitions at Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos, Artist Equity Gallery, and The Yard, among others. She is currently preparing for her first solo museum show at the Long Island Children's Museum--forthcoming in January 2026.

She has been an artist in residence with Chashama (ChaNorth), and named an Emerging Leader by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). As a reviewer, she serves as a frequent panelist for NYC Percent for Art Program and on the NYC DOT Public Art Advisory Committee. She has given artist talks and guest lectures at School of Visual Arts (SVA), Rhode Island School of Art and Design (RISD), Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, and Columbia University, among others. She currently serves as a Program Officer, Career Advice and Training at NYFA, where she manages professional development programs for artists globally.

She graduated Valedictorian from UNC Asheville with a BFA in painting, where her work is part of the University's permanent collection, and holds an MA in Arts Administration from Columbia University.

Website: kellyolshan.com

IG: @kellyolshanfineart

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Caroline Guilbert specializes in extracting color from waste materials, transforming repurposed fabrics into stunning wall sculptures. With over a decade of experience in fashion, Guibert is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions by creating dyes from organic matter.

Here’s what we discuss :

1. Caroline’s innovative process for crafting sustainable materials and integrating them into both fashion and sculpture.

2. Their inspiring journey of making color and sustainability a central theme in their career.

3. The transformative steps they took to reclaim their life and channel energy toward positivity and healing.

About Caroline -

NYC-based artist and designer Caroline Guilbert brings a holistic approach to color, highlighting its beauty in the everyday. Originally from France, Guilbert holds a Masters in color and has gained a deep understanding of how color affects our daily experiences through psychology, theory, and beyond. Working from a live/work space in Brooklyn, Guilbert creates sculptural artworks and limited-edition products by extracting color from local food and flower waste, exploring the captivating illusions of color phenomena.

Guilbert’s creative practice spans multiple disciplines—floral design, video, music, scenography, and dance—breaking the boundaries between mediums and transforming how we perceive and understand color. Deeply rooted in spirituality, Guilbert approaches art as a practice of alchemizing energy, whether transforming human emotion or physical matter, with color as the conduit. They also explore healing through color, offering immersive sensorial private or group sessions that combine reiki, vibrational attunements, and therapeutic color experiences.

Over a decade, Guilbert has led color innovation for brands like Armani, Reebok, and Coloro, spearheading sustainable projects for apparel and footwear. Today, their focus has expanded to community and collaborative projects across New York City, all aimed at deepening our collective understanding of color’s potential in art, sustainability, and healing. Their sculptural work has recently been featured in the exhibition, ARTS N BEATS Vol. 1 & 2024 Bushwick Open Studios Opening night. In addition to upcoming exhibits, Guilbert continues to push the boundaries of color’s transformative power, inviting audiences to not only see, but feel the profound impact of color in all aspects of life.

Website: carolineguilbertstudio.com

IG: @carolineguilbertstudio

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com

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In this episode, Victoria delves deeper into how her daily drawing and journaling practice has helped her gain clarity, process emotions, and overcome creative blocks. She discusses how this routine has been instrumental in working through perfectionist tendencies, allowing her to approach her work with more freedom and self-compassion. Victoria also shares strategies for integrating these practices into your own creative journey to find deeper emotional release and clarity.

To learn more about working with Victoria to transform your art career, visit visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship.

About Victoria:

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City-based painter, educator, curator, and the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. Since launching VAC in 2020, Fry has worked with over 300+ artists to help them advance their art careers. As part of her mission to increase visibility for artists, she partners with top curators and gallerists to facilitate virtual and in-person exhibitions. Additionally, Fry has been a guest speaker for the Women’s Caucus of Art in Washington D.C, Superfine Art Fair in NYC, Photo Trouvée Magazine, The Art Queens Society, and Huron River Art Collective. She has curated exhibitions for Create! Magazine, Arts to Hearts Project, The Artful Collective, and recently served as a juror for Women’s United Art Prize. She hosts the New Visionary Podcast. Fry obtained her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2012 and her MAT from Maine College of Art in 2014.

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

Erin Schuppert, Director of the Affordable Art Fair in New York City, brings over a decade of experience in the art market, having held a range of influential roles throughout her career.

Here’s what we discuss :

1. Erin’s journey to securing her dream job at the Affordable Art Fair

2. How her team breaks down barriers to art collecting and enhances accessibility

3. Strategies for increasing artist visibility and building connections with the right audience

About Erin -

After working for almost a decade in the auction and blue-chip gallery world, Erin Schuppert became the Director of Affordable Art Fair NYC in January 2022. With a mission to spread the joy of collecting art in an accessible and welcoming way, the fair holds two editions annually, in March and September. Each fair hosts over 75 galleries from around the world showcasing over 400 artists. Inspired by her vision to make a positive contribution to the vibrant NYC arts ecosystem, Erin began the Fellowship Program shortly after joining the fair. The Program invests in the long-term growth and success of local emerging galleries, inviting them to exhibit at the fair free of charge over three editions. Erin is also proud to work with local organizations such as Arts Gowanus, Materials for the Arts, FIT, and The Art Therapy Project to create joyful, engaging, and welcoming arts experiences. She holds a BA in Art History from Boston University and an MA in Museum Studies from NYU.

Website: https://affordableartfair.com/

IG: @erinbschuppert

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Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag

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