We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pylot Studios a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Pylot thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Pylot Studios was born over a cup of coffee. In 2019, we [Yitzhak Franco and Leia Tyebjee] were sitting in a café, talking about the artists we admired, the exhibitions that had moved us, and the frustrating gaps in the art world—how so many talented artists were struggling to find space, opportunities, and a community that truly supported them.

That conversation over coffee turned into a brainstorming session, sketching out ideas, and imagining a space where artists could push boundaries. By the time we left, we had the beginnings of what would become Pylot—an organization that champions experimentation, collaboration, and accessibility.

Soon after, we put our first exhibition together, reaching out to artists, finding a space, and figuring things out as we went. Opening night was the real confirmation—we saw the impact of creating a space where artists could thrive. From that first coffee to now, our mission has remained the same: to build a platform that fosters creativity and meaningful connections.

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.

Pylot Studios is an interdisciplinary creative platform dedicated to artistic design, curation, and community engagement. Founded with the belief that art has the power to challenge boundaries and ignite dialogue, we aim to foster innovative collaborations between artists and audiences. Since our inception, we’ve focused on showcasing dynamic, boundary-pushing work, while also providing opportunities for emerging and established artists to amplify their voices.

Over the years, Pylot has expanded our vision into curating exhibitions, developing branding projects, and pursuing creative ventures that merge art with broader cultural conversations.

Growth hasn’t come without its challenges. Balancing creative integrity with operational sustainability has been a learning curve, especially in navigating grant applications and resource constraints. Another significant challenge has been finding ways to maintain inclusivity and accessibility while growing our audience base. The biggest lesson has been recognizing the power of adaptability. Whether it’s rethinking timelines, innovating through technology, or fostering deeper relationships with collaborators, flexibility has been the key to our resilience and growth.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is witnessing the connections that art fosters—between artists, audiences, and ideas. At Pylot Studios, we thrive on creating a space where meaningful conversations emerge, where artists feel supported and where viewers engage with work in ways that challenge or inspire them.

There’s something powerful about seeing an artist take risks, push their practice forward, and know that we played a role in amplifying their voice. Whether it’s an artist realizing the impact of their work through a viewer’s reaction, or a collaboration sparking something unexpected, those moments of connection are the reward.

Beyond that, the ability to experiment keeps the work exciting. Every exhibition is an opportunity to explore new ideas, mediums, and perspectives. This is a continuous process of learning, refining, and reimagining. The freedom to create, and to build something that leaves a lasting impression, is what has made this journey so fulfilling.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Pylot is a dynamic, artist-driven organization with roots in both New York and Mumbai, committed to producing unanticipated art experiences.

At Pylot, we believe in the power of shaping culture through curation, collaboration, and creativity. Our mission is to empower artists through a diverse range of programming, including curated exhibitions, thought-provoking lectures, and engaging panel discussions.

Pylot creates unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, growth, and creative innovation. We do this through dynamic storytelling, colorful design, and a genuine interest in cultivating community – in an effort to reevaluate our relationship to art, ourselves, and the world around us.

To be honest, working for ourselves has become one of our longer term goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pylotstudios.com/
• Instagram: @pylotstudios