We recently connected with Isabel Tassara and have shared our conversation below.

Isabel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I founded Coral Contemporary Gallery in 2019 when I was living in San Francisco. I was working at the California Academy of Sciences, working long-distance helping my mother with her art gallery in Argentina and studying my master’s Program in Museum Studies at the University of San Francisco. I came up with the idea very quickly. I knew it was time to open my own gallery after many years of working in the art field.

Coral Contemporary Gallery started as a digital platform. I remember I was so excited and nervous to suddenly be on my own, making decisions and showing the world my profile as a gallerist.

I had many ideas and a lot of motivation to dedicate to my own business. I knew it was going to be challenging, especially when you do it in another country, with a different culture and new people that surround you. But I also knew it was time for a change and to grow in a different way. My husband had a key role supporting me in all this process, I am very grateful for him to be by my side.
When I moved to Miami, I decided to rent a space and open a in Midtown. Coral Contemporary Gallery specializes in Latin American Art, but we work with artists worldwide.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I come from a family that is fully involved in the art world. My mother owns an important art gallery in Argentina and my ant also had an art gallery for many years. She is now involved in the conservation of cultural patrimony of Buenos Aires. I grew up going to art fairs around the world with my mother. It was a work and fun trip. Potentially afterwards I started working with her. But while growing up, I used to go to all art fairs and help her and all the artists that where exhibiting at the booth. I had 12 years old, and I remember helping artist Guillermo Rodriguez built his wood cactus sculptures that were shipped from Argentina and that needed to be prepared to be exhibited. I also remember walking around the fair with my mother and artist Miguel D’Arienzo analyzing and contemplating the artworks that were exhibited in other booths. I had so much fun. Finally, I used to help artists by translating into English what they explained about their work when people visited the booth.

Unconsciously, I learned many things from all these “work” trips to art fairs that she took me. And I remember I had the time of my life. That’s how my passion for art started.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The best advice I could give is to truly work as a team. Be helpful, have patience, help them grow, get feedback, and incorporate it if necessary. Also show them how you want things to be done by being an example. I have learned these from past supervisors/ bosses who I admire and made me feel good and happy while I was working. I also think that its key to follow your values and to be empathic and down to earth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We are a new art gallery in Miami, so we continue to grow each day our reputation. We focus on being proactive and showing nice and cool shows where people can come and interact. We also like to host different events where we invite the community to interact and connect. What really helps us build our reputation each day is the amount of energy and motivation we have towards our goal: becoming one of the best galleries in Miami. We need time, dedication, and hard work for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://coralcontemporaryart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coralcontemporarygallery/?hl=es

Image Credits
Manny Hernandez and Mateo Serna Zapata