Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Steslow
Hi Tanner, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Square One Gallery was founded by St Louis based artist Ted Collier, and independent curators Max Berman and Tanner Steslow.
“Max and I were curating a group exhibition at a gallery in the Upper East Side in NYC across from the MET museum in 2019. The exhibition was titled “Forces” and centered around art and artists whose practice relates to natural elements. We often find a lot of the artists we work with on Instagram and when we came across Ted, were instantly drawn to his pieces and the various series he was presenting at the time. After meeting at the exhibition opening, the three of us quickly became close friends and kept in touch all throughout the pandemic. As the art market (much like every other industry) was turned upside down, Max and I were constantly inspired not only by Ted’s business prowess, but his kind spirit and care for others. Being art curators, you sometimes exist in the gray area between an artist and their relationship with the gallery or institution they’re showing with so when Ted asked in 2023 if the three of us would ever want to open a gallery together in St Louis, we knew he would be the perfect partner with his lens as an artist and also an entrepreneur. Fast forward to today and we opened our first exhibition just this past April at our new Central West End location. Max and I relocated here for this venture and we’ve been blown away by everything we’ve experienced in the city.”
– Tanner Steslow, Co-owner of Square One Gallery
“Expanding on Tanner’s mention of how we all met in NYC in 2019 for the group show they were curating, that was the first time anyone I’d met in the art world had made mention of that profound statement and I definitely took it to heart. I thought about this for a long time as in the past my gallery experience had been almost the opposite. A lot of people in the art world view artists as almost “human capital” – to be treated in a way that what I was creating was of value was a very important thing to me and made me realize that the people I was working with at the time didn’t have this mindset. Our ultimate goal now with the gallery is to make each artist feel valued as without the artist there would be no art.”
– Ted Collier, Co-owner of Square One Gallery
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“Like with every business that’s getting off the ground, nothing is ever going to be perfect, but I truly feel that the three of us have such a mutual respect for each other and our areas of expertise that no challenge is too big. Max and I have run galleries and gallery programing in NYC for almost a decade now and Ted has had a 15 year art career on top of owning and scaling multiple restaurant locations. With that being said, you never know how you’re going to be perceived as a new business to clients and community members. Any new business venture no matter how big or small is going to feel daunting. I think one of the hardest parts is trusting yourself and making the jump. Be kind to others, respect yourself, and have a little faith that the pieces will come together – and they will.”
– Tanner Steslow, Co-owner of Square One Gallery
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Square One Gallery?
“We’re a contemporary art gallery that works with a range of artists from emerging to established in their careers. One of the most important parts of our ethos is transparency and honesty with not just clients, but artists which are our most important asset. In far too many instances in the art market, artists are often treated as disposable by galleries trying to make a quick buck. We believe in cultivating long lasting relationships with artists and clients alike, and putting all of our weight behind each artist we work with in their careers. Our unofficial motto is “Without the artist, there would be no ‘art’” and that couldn’t be more true. Artists are stewards of creativity and we hope to help preserve the integrity of that for generations to come while offering a knowledgeable collecting experience to guide acquisitions in a fair and open manner.”
– Tanner Steslow, Co-owner of Square One Gallery
What’s next?
“We just opened this past April in the Central West End and are loving the neighborhood and the energy it brings. We have a full program of exhibitions coming up for the remainder of the year and into the next. One of the big projects we’re excited for is a presentation during Miami Art Week and Art Basel in Miami Beach this coming December. As a new business, it’s an honor to just be open and get to share what we offer with the community and world at large. It’s one of the coolest things to see this idea you have been envisioning and working on for months manifest into a physical business and space where guests can come and enjoy art.”
– Tanner Steslow, Co-owner of Square One Gallery
Pricing:
A carry artworks with a wide range of pricing geared to fit any collector
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.squareonegallery.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareone.gallery/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Square-One-Gallery/61556095756256/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/square-one-gallery-saint-louis