We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christine Pfister. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christine below.

Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

There was no first for me. The art world picked me. I come from a business background. I never decided to pursue a career in the art world before I came to the United States. It basically was offered to me, and I said, YES.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My husband originally opened Pentimenti Gallery in Philadelphia. After a few years, he asked me to take over and give it wings to fly. Here I am, after 20+ years, enjoying the best time of my life, between my relationship with art, artists, collectors, friends, and family.

Pentimenti Gallery features contemporary art by a line of established artists alongside up-and-coming talent and at international art fairs, with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach. The gallery serves as an incubator for the development of creative voices, and the exploration of innovative exhibitions, and offers a sense of community and aesthetic enrichment. It is a white cube model gallery. The experience of viewing art in a white space with no clutter, and where the artwork is the central focus is very important to me.

Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the United States and has increasingly become a bustling center for the arts over the years. My gallery space in Old City, originally a tavern and later a foundry, is now an integral part of what many are referring to as the Philadelphia Art & Design District. This dynamic and vibrant neighborhood gathers design showrooms, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants in the middle of America’s most historic square mile.

My role as a gallerist is to assist collectors to build strong art collections. Beginning your art-collecting journey can be an intimidating process, especially if you are a young collector. Here are two important pieces of advice I always share with first-time collectors.

See as much art as possible. I strongly emphasized the importance of looking at art and not just art that you might be interested in collecting. Visit as many museums, art fairs, and galleries as possible. Scour pieces online. Determine which subjects, mediums, and styles of art speak to you so you can begin collecting.

The second-most important tip for new collectors is being able to effectively conduct research. Key to this is the connections you can establish with art world insiders. Building relationships with curators and galleriests will give you access to important information on new artists and movements. Attend gallery and artist talks. Public programs offered by institutions and museums are also a great way to research specific artists or learn about current trends before collecting.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Through the years, the most rewarding facets have been the many close relationships I have forged.

I am grateful to the visitors and collectors who have believed in my vision for Pentimenti and have supported the program throughout the years. They regularly come to view our new exhibitions, at times braving bad weather conditions and long distances. Their appreciation for my artist’s work is very rewarding. For example, one evening I was working late when I received a phone call from a long-time collector. He has essentially created a gallery within his own home, and after having spent the evening entertaining friends and showing them his collection, he just wanted to call and express his appreciation for having such unique and beautiful artwork in his home.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to remain steadfast in my focus and consistently present a compelling program that not only I believe in but also inspires belief in my valued patrons. My ultimate goal is to gain recognition as a gallery of exceptional value, catering to the artistic aspirations of both my talented artists, discerning collectors, and enthusiastic enthusiasts.

I’m committed to creating an immersive and nurturing environment that fosters creativity, embraces diversity, and encourages artistic exploration. Through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, I aim to provide a platform for artists to showcase their unique visions and voices.

In nurturing the relationships with my collectors and enthusiasts, I aspire to become a trusted destination for discovering exceptional art and building meaningful art collections. My commitment to delivering excellence extends beyond the gallery walls, as I actively engage in outreach programs, and collaborations that enrich the broader arts community.

Together, I forge a path towards growth and recognition, continuously pushing the boundaries of what an art gallery can be. I invite you to join me on this extraordinary journey of discovery and inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pentimenti.com
• Instagram: @pentimentigallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PentimentiGallery
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pentimenti-gallery
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pentimenti-gallery-philadelphia