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Marlee Katz Snow, is a gallerist and artist liaison originally from the Midwest. Her expertise lies in the emerging art market, and she founded the late Tchotchke Gallery in 2020. Marlee is dedicated to cultivating artist relationships and championing their evolution, as well as making the art world more accessible and transparent. Marlee, her husband, and their dog, Butter, love living in East Williamsburg, amid the vibrant pulse of nearby artist studio buildings.
Hi Marlee! Thank you for sitting down with me! The first question that I always ask. What does a regular day look like for you in Brooklyn?
Thank you for having me! Well, my day usually starts around 7 am. I thrive in routine, so I start my morning with strength training or cardio, depending on the day. After that, I get ready for work and never skip breakfast. They say it is the most important meal of the day for a reason. I have coffee, yogurt, fruit, and granola, then glue myself to my desk chair.
Throughout the day, I engage in various activities, including responding to emails, dedicating substantial time to phone calls, working on business and brand development, mastering the intricacies of Squarespace, conducting artist research, and making regular studio visits. My loyal companion, Butter, often accompanies me, proving to be an invaluable assistant.
Around 6 pm, my husband and I unwind by walking Butter. Following that, we delve into our shared love for cooking, often supplementing our routine with trips to the McCarren Park farmer’s market or weekend getaways upstate whenever time permits. After dinner, we usually watch a show and wrap up early, tucking ourselves into bed around 9 or 10 pm. For those who know me, I am a true Bubbie at heart.
Alright, so what’s your background? And when did you start showing an interest in art? With that in mind. How did you get introduced to the art world?
Art has always been my thing. As a student, I would skip lunch and spend time learning how to set stones and wax cast in the jewelry classroom. My very supportive family signed me up for sewing classes and accepted that I couldn’t put a ball in a net even though I was nearly six feet tall. Sadly, height and coordination don’t always correspond.
I went to UW-Madison to study printmaking and drawing. During this time, I participated in a summer course called “Art in New York” at FIT, where I discovered my fascination with the business side of the art world. Every day, we would go to a new gallery in Chelsea, the Lower East Side, or Uptown, and we had to write a review on each exhibition that we saw. I was mesmerized by the beautiful spaces and the idea that anyone could walk into a gallery and enjoy or discover art.
I embraced the notion that my strengths lay in honing my business acumen. Armed with a Master’s in Visual Arts Administration from NYU, I began my career in the New York Art World. A brief stint in art PR and a few gallery positions eventually led me to find my niche working with a fantastic art advisor. Building client and artist relationships, the flexibility of working with various gallery programs, and a genuine excitement for my professional journey solidified my passion for the art industry.
Let’s jump into the nitty gritty. Ok, so this is something that I feel like a lot of people have been talking about, and the story was covered by several major art publications… In 2020, you founded Tchotchke Gallery along with your friend Danielle Dewar. What made you want to open your own gallery? And what kind of trials and errors did you guys go through in the process?
Sure, I am happy to delve into this. After departing from the art advisory role for further growth, I transitioned into a sales position at a secondary market gallery, where I was introduced to Danielle. She and I bonded through shared creative interests, and then COVID hit. The gallery we were working at let go of nearly their entire team, and we decided it was time to do something independently.
While neither of us had prior experience running a gallery, our combined expertise in working with artists, sales, business development, marketing, and the essential elements of cultivating a thriving business spurred us into action. In September 2020, we proudly launched Tchotchke Gallery as an online platform that fostered a vibrant community of engaged collectors and influential artists.
Our journey involved a steep learning curve as we navigated the nuances of operating a fledgling business, drafting consignment agreements, building a robust collector base, and curating work that resonated with our audience. Leveraging the digital space, which became even more crucial due to the constraints of COVID, allowed us to present art uniquely. Collectors could engage with our platform through direct messages or emails, offering a fresh and interactive approach to the art-collecting experience. We quickly discovered that with people spending extended periods in their homes, there was a heightened desire for something novel and refreshing to adorn their walls.
Tchotchke quickly became one of the hottest galleries, and big things were definitely on the rise. But then, earlier this year, Tchotchke shut down all operations out of the blue, even you guy’s Instagram account, leaving many people wondering what was up. Can you tell me about that? What happened?
I take immense pride in the growth of Tchotchke Gallery. In January 2023, Tchotchke transitioned from the digital realm to a physical location in East Williamsburg. We were thrilled about the trajectory and prospects of our venture. Over three years, we enjoyed a fantastic run, and I will forever cherish the pride and honor of contributing to everything we built.
Sadly, not all aspects of business unfold as planned, and navigating partner relationships can prove challenging. To this day, I remain unaware of Tchotchke’s Instagram whereabouts, as the email and password were altered without my knowledge or consent. My disappointment stems from the injustice inflicted upon our artists and the loss of our significant historical presence and engagement on that platform.
In the current moment, my focus is on moving forward and envisioning the future. Working with artists is a paramount priority, regardless of the business name. I depart from Tchotchke with the confidence that I upheld integrity in my relationships with our artists, and I carry a sense of dignity about my contributions there. I will always stand for being kind, transparent, and ethical in everything I do.
Alright. So what’s next for you? I heard you’re working on a new project called “Collect Bean”. Tell me about that. What’s your vision for the project? Any future projects coming up?
I’m thrilled to provide you with exclusive insight into my upcoming venture. On January 5th, 2024, I’m proud to announce the launch of Collect Bean. The name Collect Bean stems from two concepts: one, my dog Butter, who I often call Bean Girl, and two, the symbolism behind a bean. A bean represents the early stages of growth, the cyclical rhythm of life, and the concept of embarking on new beginnings.
Collect Bean is an online platform showcasing and championing beloved artists directly from their studios. Collect Bean’s mission is to demystify the art-collecting process through monthly curated launches, fostering an approachable, genuine, and transparent experience.
The inaugural January Collection will feature familiar faces, such as Josiah Ellner and Deb Koo, and introduce new, deserving artists who may not yet be on your radar. Every first Friday of the month, Collect Bean will unveil a meticulously curated selection of artwork, accompanied by an intimate exploration of the creative process with a different artist in their studio every week. The platform is designed to be approachable, aiming to level the playing field whether you are a seasoned art enthusiast or entirely new to the collecting experience.
What motivates you?
Drawing inspiration from the strong work ethic of my entrepreneur father and husband, I find motivation in the dynamic interplay of family and constant personal development. My commitment to ongoing learning propels my journey, fueled by the overarching aspiration to find that sweet spot between personal fulfillment and thriving family life. The idea of owning my time and being fully present with family adds a substantial layer to this motivation.
How would you describe a perfect day?
If I were to envision the perfect Brooklyn day, it would begin without an alarm, waking around 7:30 am — a small victory in itself. Following that, a stress-relieving boxing class would be on the agenda. Afterward, a leisurely breakfast, where the coffee is swapped for matcha, and the yogurt parfait for a traditional American Breakfast. Calories don’t count on my perfect day.
The day would continue with two studio visits, providing the opportunity to reconnect with artists, meet new creatives, and delve into their backgrounds, goals, and current projects. I’d wrap up this ideal day with a family-filled sushi dinner or some live jazz at the Blue Note—a lovely way to conclude a day filled with art, purpose, and meaningful connections.
Alright, Marlee. I always ask these two questions at the end of an interview. The first is. What’s your favorite movie(s) and why?
No matter my age, the Harry Potter series will forever hold the top spot as my favorite. Watching these movies evokes extraordinary nostalgia, transporting me back to cherished childhood memories spent with my sister. The films embody a spirit of excitement, adventure, and bravery — a reminder that a touch of magic can enrich our lives. Having grown up alongside these big-screen marvels, I am confident they will continue to resonate, bringing immense joy to future generations.
The second is. What song(s) are you currently listening to the most right now?
Our wedding song, “Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty and “It’s My House” by Diana Ross.