Kasmin, a fixture of New York’s contemporary art scene for the last 35 years, will close its doors this fall. The closure coincides with the announcement of a new gallery, Olney Gleason, founded by Kasmin’s president, Nicholas Olney, and head of sales, Eric Gleason. The new venture will debut in fall 2025 with a flagship space in New York.
According to a release by Olney Gleason, the decision to conclude Kasmin’s operations was made in “close collaboration” with the estate of founder Paul Kasmin, who led the gallery until his passing in 2020. Plans for a transition were discussed with Paul Kasmin before his passing, according to Olney.
“We had those conversations while Paul was still alive,” said Olney in an interview with Artnews. “What we’re doing now aligns with those early discussions, and the estate is fully supportive.”
Founded in New York in 1989 as Paul Kasmin Gallery, the gallery represented over 100 artists in its 35-year run. Paul was introduced to the art world at a young age, surrounded by artists who were shown at the gallery owned by his father, John. That gallery, Kasmin Limited, had a significant influence on the art world, mounting major shows like David Hockney’s first solo show in 1963. John closed Kasmin Limited in 1972 and his other collaborative gallery, Knoedler Kasmin Limited, in 1992. Paul opened his first space in Soho before moving to Chelsea in 1999, eventually opening three spaces across the city. Since its opening, the gallery has mounted more than 350 exhibitions.
Kasmin’s programming has historically bridged 20th-century masters and contemporary names in a roster that numbered more than 40 artists and estates. These included the likes of Walton Ford, Jamie Nares, and Dorothea Tanning, among others. In recent years, the gallery added artists such as Diana Al-Hadid, Ali Banisadr, and vanessa german to its roster, and announced exclusive global representation of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation in 2024.
Olney Gleason said that it will continue to work with “a number of artists and estates” from Kasmin’s roster, but did not specify a precise figure. An announcement regarding the new gallery’s leadership and programming is expected in September.
“Eric and I are passionately optimistic about the future of our industry,” Olney said in a press statement. “We’re driven by our unwavering belief in artists and an ethos of excellence, integrity, and cooperation that’s shared by our core team.”
Olney and Gleason have held senior roles at the gallery for over a decade. Olney joined Kasmin in 2007 following six years at Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco, while Gleason came on board in 2013 after beginning his career at Marlborough Gallery.
“Working with Nick, and playing a role in the history of Kasmin and its extraordinary ecosystem of artists and staff, has been a more professionally rewarding experience than anyone could ask for,” Gleason said in a press statement. “Now it’s time to look ahead, building on what we’re proud to have already forged. This is an unprecedented moment of opportunity in the art world, with the focus rapidly shifting back to thoughtful programming and an artist-centric model.”
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