#davidkleingallery

[fortrevoryoung]

I am excited to announce my second solo with David Klein Gallery, opens September 7. 44x46in, oil on canvas, 2019, White Tower, trevoryoung.net

[supportblackart]

New work by @mariomooreart : “To Amani Minter,” 2018 (Oil on copper, 12 x 10 inches) Opening at @davidkleingallery June 30th in Detroit. 🎨 . . #supportblackart #mariomoore #detroitartist #painter #oilpainting #contemporaryart #contemporaryart #portrait #mariomooreart #davidkleingallery #blackmen #newart #blackart #blackartist #detroitart #oiloncopper #recovery

[fortrevoryoung]

Three Pumps, three different temperatures of light. Oil on canvas

Trevor Young

[damienaroman-blog]

Kelly Reemtsen at David Klein Gallery at Art Miami. #artbaselweek #artmiami #contemporaryart #painting #kellyreemtsen #davidkleingallery #wynwood #miami (at Art Miami)

[damienaroman-blog]

Kelly Reemtsen at David Klein Gallery at Art Miami. #artbaselweek #artmiami #contemporaryart #painting #kellyreemtsen #davidkleingallery #wynwood #miami (at Art Miami)

[sliceannarbor]

Christine Schefman

Director of Contemporary Art David Klein Gallery Birmingham/Detroit, Michigan dkgallery.com

Photo by Nick Schefman

Christine Schefman serves as director of contemporary art for the David Klein Gallery in Detroit, Michigan — a new 4,000-square foot space on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit. The gallery, which opened its doors in September 2015, features contemporary sculpture, painting, and photography by emerging, mid-career, and established artists such as Susan Goethel Campbell, Liz Cohen, Matthew Hawtin, Kim McCarty, Andrew Moore, Kelly Reemtsen, and Betty Woodman. Christine began her career at Hammer Galleries and at Knoedler Gallery in New York City. After relocating to Michigan in 1989, she served as director of the creative artist grant program at ArtServe Michigan, and as director of the District Arts Gallery in Birmingham. When Christine is not working, you can find her going to galleries and museums, walking, reading, and cooking. She lives with her husband, artist Robert Schefman, in West Bloomfield. The couple’s daughter, Samantha Banks Schefman, is co-founder of Playground Detroit. Their son, Nick Schefman, is a senior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

FAVORITES

Book:  Pride and Prejudice. More recent: The Goldfinch

Destination:  New York City

Film: You’ve Got Mail.  More recent: The Lunch Box

THE QUERY

Where were you born?

New York City

What were some of the passions/pastimes of your earlier years?

Art was an interest from the age of seven on. I went to college at Marymount in New York City and spent as much time as possible in the museums. My favorite always was and still is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, although The Frick Collection is pretty special too. Also, lots of beach time at the Jersey Shore.

How did you get your start in the art world?

Art classes from a young age. My Dad would always take me to museums in the city. When I graduated from college I got a job at Hammer Galleries on 57th Street in New York.

What led to your taking a position with the David Klein Gallery in Birmingham in 2006?  

David invited me to join his staff after the small gallery I was running closed. I was very excited to be given the opportunity, and have learned an enormous amount from him.

How would you describe your role with the gallery?

I’m responsible for the character of the contemporary program. This includes selecting the artists for representation; working with artists, curators, and collectors; marketing and sales; and curating and scheduling exhibitions and art fairs. My position also includes all of the research and planning that is required to run a contemporary gallery. 

Why does this form of artistic expression suit you?

I love working with artists, I love looking at art all day, every day.

Do you have a creative process?

I like to take my time when looking at art. It needs to sink in. And I like to be organized. It’s called “Mise en place.” Everything has to be in place before I can work. I think it comes from working in the restaurant biz — I spent years with Jimmy Schmidt at the Rattlesnake Club.

How do you go about selecting the artists you’ll work with?

We do a lot of research, visit studios, galleries, museums, and art fairs in major cities.

How does it feel to be an important part of the emerging art scene in Detroit?  

I’m thrilled to join all of the galleries, museums, art spaces, and programs that have been here working hard before me. It’s a great art scene. We plan to show the best local and national contemporary art we can bring to the gallery. The new, large space will allow us to broaden the scope of the work we can show.

What’s on the horizon for the David Klein Gallery, Detroit?

We are working on a schedule of eight new exhibitions for 2016.

Do you have an artistic resource that you turn to?

I look at a lot of media: The New York Times, books, magazines, websites, arts blogs, and online arts magazines.

From where do you draw inspiration?

I am inspired by all forms of art around me: literature, theater, music, film, and dance. And last but not least I am inspired by all of the amazing people in my life — my family and dear friends have made it all worth it.

What three things can’t you live without?

Robert, Samantha, and Nick

What drives you these days?

Life is short. I love what I do and don’t plan to stop.

[thejass]

"Sid" by @matthewhawtin 2014 Acrylic on fiberglass panel 57 x 48 x 11 1/2 #davidkleingallery (at Art Miami)