We recently connected with Stefania Arrivabene Varney and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stefania , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The wish and mission behind S.A.V Gallery is to serve as a catalyst, fostering global recognition and sustainable careers for both emerging and a select few established artists within the dynamic art market. It all began with the realization that the art world has increasingly turned into a capitalist industry. In my humble opinion, the majority of focus from collectors to art advisors is placed on the monetary investment value, leaving little room for emerging artists to break through and have their artwork regarded as collectible. S.A.V Gallery aims to challenge this status quo by providing a platform where emerging artists can receive the attention and recognition they deserve. We believe that artistic talent should be nurtured and celebrated based on its intrinsic value, rather than purely for its potential financial return. By curating exhibitions and showcasing the captivating works of emerging artists, we seek to broaden the perspective of collectors and art enthusiasts, encouraging them to appreciate the depth and innovation inherent in the artwork itself.
While we do represent a select group of established artists, our primary focus remains on providing opportunities for emerging talents to gain exposure, build their artistic careers, and establish a reputation within the art world. Through strategic partnerships, collaborations, and engagement with the global art community, S.A.V Gallery actively works towards creating a sustainable ecosystem that supports the growth and development of these artists in the long term.
By creating this space where artistic integrity and creativity are paramount, S.A.V Gallery aspires to contribute to a shift in the art market, emphasizing the value of artistic expression and the importance of supporting emerging voices. We believe that art should not be solely defined by its monetary worth, but rather by its ability to inspire, provoke thought, and enrich our cultural landscape.

Emily Mace, sitting
Stefania Arrivabene Varney, standing

Stefania , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My appreciation for art and the art world was influenced greatly by my father, Maurizio Arrivabene. Since a young age, he encouraged and supported my artistic pursuits. I vividly recall him gifting me my first ‘Caran d’Ache’ pen and pastel coloring sets, and he even taught me how to draw, starting with a cat in the shape of a heart. My mother, Ulrika Hjelm, was also incredibly supportive. She took me on my first visits to renowned art institutions such as the Louvre in Paris, Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, and MoMA in New York City. These experiences exposed me to masterful frescoes from the Renaissance period, as well as contemporary artworks like those by Roy Lichtenstein, whom I greatly admired.
Despite my deep love for the art world, I initially chose to pursue my studies in event, sports, and entertainment management, with a base of marketing and finance. However, after completing my bachelor’s degree, I found myself drawn back to the creative industry. I secured my first job at Cardenes Studio, an interior architecture and design studio in London. This experience eventually led me to work in business development for Lewben Family Office, which housed the Lewben Art Foundation—home to an extensive collection ranging from 20th century Lithuanian modernism to Lithuanian and international contemporary art.
Within the family office, I had the privilege of meeting the owners, Rita and Vilnius Kavaliauskas, who introduced me to their art advisor, Francesca Ferrarini. Through their guidance, I was exposed to international art fairs such as Frieze in London, Zona Marco in Mexico, Art Basel in Miami, and TEFAF Maastricht in the Netherlands. These experiences were both exciting and educational.
After three enriching years at the family office, my friend Jay Rutland suggested that I apply for a position as the Marketing and Development Director at Maddox Gallery in London. Working at Maddox Gallery further deepened my interest and passion for art and the art world. However, during my time there, I became pregnant with my first child, Leonardo, and decided to prioritize motherhood. My husband, Joshua, and I then made the decision to relocate to Los Angeles with our young family. It was during this time that I recognized a gap in the market – while many renowned galleries were present, there was still a significant opportunity to establish a gallery that focused on representing emerging artists. With my husband’s immense motivation and support, I decided to take the leap and open my own gallery.
I chose to name it S.A.V Gallery, a simple and straightforward choice based on my initials. After finding the perfect stylish corner in West Hollywood, S.A.V Gallery officially opened its doors on February 16th, 2023, in conjunction with the Frieze LA art fair. The gallery serves as a dynamic space that celebrates unique voices, diversity, and artistic innovation.
At the core of S.A.V Gallery’s mission is an unwavering commitment to empowering world-class emerging artists, alongside a select number of established ones. A prime example of this commitment was our debut exhibition, ‘Leap of Faith,’ which paid tribute to the courage it took for me to pursue my dream of opening a gallery, as well as the faith that various artists placed in us and the gallery.
In our collective exhibitions, we strive to showcase works that represent captivating journeys into the realms of found beauty within structure, form, and texture. Our aim is to ignite the senses and challenge perceptions of artistic interpretation. The beauty of owning a gallery lies in the freedom to support and, at times, represent whomever we choose. We seek to support up-and-coming artists and provide them with the best opportunities for sustainable careers.
I must admit that my background in design has proven beneficial in discovering talented artists, and my fluency in six languages, as well as my immersion in the artistic traditions of Italy and Sweden, adds an element of elegance and sophistication to every curatorial decision, defining the gallery’s artistic direction.
This first year of being open has been an incredible experience, as it has required a true mixture of dedication, hard work, and overcoming challenges.

Joshua Varney, Lily Piper

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building the reputation of an art gallery takes time, effort, and strategic actions. I believe in the power behind high-quality curation; A strong reputation hinges on consistently showcasing high-quality and thought-provoking art. Thoroughly curate exhibitions that demonstrate a keen eye for emerging talent, innovation, and artistic excellence. Special attention needs to be paid to diverse artistic styles, themes, and mediums, presenting a well-rounded program that appeals to a wide range of art enthusiasts. Another important factor is developing a Distinctive Identity, at S.A.V Gallery we try to by defining a unique artistic identity or niche. This could involve focusing on specific genres, techniques, or cultural contexts. An example would be our first all female collective exhibition named ‘Decadence of Minimalism’; where we showcased artists Curie Adelswärd, Roberta Boffo and Tasya van Ree. This exhibition truly took the onlooker on a captivating journey into a world of found beauty in structure, form and texture; this exhibition ignited the senses and challenge ones perception of artistic interpretation. Overall, I think that being known for something specific can help attract a dedicated audience and establish your gallery as an expert in that particular field. This also brings me to the importance of professional relationships. It is vital to cultivate relationships with artists, collectors, critics, and industry professionals. Actively engage with artists and have them be present at the exhibition openings whether they are solo exhibitions or collective exhibitions, it allows for the potential collector to gain interest which in turn could lead to a purchase. It is also so very important to attend art fairs in order to enhance your perspective, take educational Courses at Sotheby’s or Christies to enhance your knowledge, not to forgetting that collaborating with other galleries or institutions to expand your network. Building a strong foundation of professional relationships can enhance the reputation of your gallery and open doors to new opportunities. Furthermore, a perhaps obvious thing would be the immense impact of public relations and marketing. At the 6 month mark of the gallery opening, we decided to invest in effective PR via SixTen PR company spearheaded by Jennifer Woodward. It takes some time to see the returns, but it is worth it. Furthermore, it helps that we have Emily Mace as a gallery partner whom is excellent in increasing the visibility of the gallery via an impressive guest list and attendance at each of our exhibition openings. Overall, having a website is key, and we have worked on ours for the past year in order to have it be a creative and dynamic extension of the physical gallery. Of course there is also the importance of being part of the current times and maintaining a presence on social media platforms, we have found Instagram to be our platform of choice. We would also like to be collaborating with art publications or influencers to gain recognition within the industry, but all things in due time. We will start to regularly promote our exhibitions and achievements through press releases, newsletters, and other communication channels to reach a wider audience. I would say that one of the most important aspects for us is to engage with the community, we want to actively participate in local art events, community initiatives, and philanthropic activities. The latter we are still working on what that would look like, but hope to realize something exciting by 2025. By demonstrating a genuine commitment to the arts and supporting the artistic community, we can enhance S.A.V Gallery’s reputation as a trusted and valued institution. We are also looking to wanting to host artistic events other than our artist talks, such as panel discussions, workshops, and educational programs to engage art enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public. We have come to understand that these events help foster a deeper connection between the audience and the artwork, positioning our gallery as a hub of artistic knowledge and appreciation. Another important aspect that we are very conscious of, is consistency and longevity. As previously mentioned – building a reputation takes time, so it’s important to maintain consistency in our gallery’s vision, quality of exhibitions, and engagement with the art community. By showing dedication and longevity, S.A.V gallery can gain a reputation as a respected and reliable institution in the art world. We ought to remember that reputation is built gradually through a combination of excellence, credibility, and active engagement within the art community. Continuously strive for artistic excellence, maintain integrity in your curatorial choices, and foster meaningful relationships to solidify the reputation of S.A.V art gallery.

Stefania Arrivabene Varney, Casper Brindle, Emily Mace

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Like many beautiful things in life, everything starts with a dream, or at least that’s my humble opinion. It all began one day when my husband Josh and I were walking back to our car after spending time with our two children, Leonardo (5) and Brando (3), at West Hollywood Park. As we strolled down N. Robertson Blvd, we decided to pop into Alana’s Cafe, a charming coffee shop in the neighborhood, to grab a cup of coffee. But as we stepped outside, I couldn’t help but notice an empty property next door. I turned to Josh and said, “That would be the perfect space for an art gallery. The location is ideal, especially in a walkable area like this, which is rare in LA.” His response triggered the beginning of turning this loose wish into a reality. He asked me, “What will you do about it?” That very same day, Josh made a call to Sam, the property agent. Unfortunately, Sam informed us that the space had already been leased to an Açaí bowl restaurant. However, he mentioned that there was a vacant space in the courtyard behind it. Intrigued, we went to see it for ourselves. Although it wasn’t directly on the street, it turned out to be a perfect starting location. What made it even better was the endorsement from my friend Danielle Nadick Levy, co-founder of Facile skincare, who had rented the adjacent property for many years. She spoke highly of the location and its positive energy for business. Danielle has since moved Facile to a flagship building on Melrose Place. This, coupled with my passion and excitement for the art world, convinced Josh and me that it was the right move. I decided to become a gallerist and own my own gallery.
Originally, I contemplated creating a presentation deck and seeking potential investors, but I realized that would defeat the very purpose of wanting to own my own gallery and the freedoms of decision making that would come with it. After discussing this with Josh, we took the leap and decided to invest the initial capital ourselves. It was a significant risk, but also a leap of faith. This meant that if the time ever comes to approach potential investors, they would see our genuine belief and commitment to the gallery, rather than just a business pitch.

Stefania Arrivabene Varney, Curie Adelswärd, Emily Mace, Tasya van Ree

Contact Info:

• Website: Savgallery.com
• Instagram: @Sav___gallery

Image Credits
Chris Singer took the photograph of Emily Mace and I sitting in the Gallery.