link: Press Release: A New Voice in Williamsburg: Twelve Chairs Gallery – UP MAGAZINE
On April 24, Williamsburg welcomed a new cultural landmark: Twelve Chairs Gallery. Located on North 3rd Street, the gallery made its debut with ROOTS, a group exhibition held in its sculpture garden on Wythe Avenue. From the outset, the gallery positioned itself not just as a space for viewing art, but as a living, breathing platform for dialogue — prioritizing environment, materiality, and local connection over passing trends.
ROOTS featured seven artists — Bruce M. Gagnier, Bert Esenherz, Davit Nikolozishvili, Ilya Federov, Karo Atanassov, Kerstin Roolfs and Zura — each deeply engaged with the artistic and cultural landscape of Williamsburg. Their works, grounded in academic rigor and tactile experimentation, reflect the raw energy of a neighborhood shaped by street art, flux, and reinvention.
The gallery’s name, Twelve Chairs, nods to the satirical 1928 novel — a reminder that rebellion, wit, and cultural critique are embedded in its foundation. As founders Kristine Stasiulevich and Zura put it, the gallery is dedicated to art that thinks critically, feels deeply, and grows organically from place.
This commitment extends beyond art shows. As part of an ongoing initiative to raise awareness for wildlife preservation, the gallery is currently sculpting a Northern White Rhino — one of the most endangered species on the planet. With only two known survivors left, the project stands as a powerful symbol of both artistic and ecological urgency.
Currently showcasing work both in its garden and private exhibitions, Twelve Chairs Gallery plans to expand its physical programming throughout the year.
Twelve Chairs Gallery
85 N 3rd Street, Williamsburg
twelvechairsgallery.com
