Artistic Noise Names Kate Fowle & Eric Gleason to Board of Directors, Adrian J. Hopkins as External Affairs Committee Chair
The three represent an investment in increased visibility for more art world and community partnerships for the organization’s youth programming
NEW YORK, N.Y. – August 24, 2023: Artistic Noise, a nonprofit arts organization serving system-impacted youth, announced it has added two pioneering leaders of the art world to its Board of Directors: Kate Fowle, Senior Curatorial Director at Hauser & Wirth, and Eric Gleason, Head of Sales at Kasmin Gallery. Adrian J. Hopkins, who joined the Board in April 2023, was also appointed External Affairs Committee Chair.
Since its founding in 2001, Artistic Noise has sought to build community with system-impacted young people throughout New York City to enrich their lives through the empowering and restorative potential of art making. Participants are 14-22 years old and their experiences range from engagements with the juvenile court system, housing instability, navigating the foster care system, and more. In Artistic Noise programs, youth learn artmaking techniques from a variety of teaching artists and professionals in order to creatively express themselves and share their personal experiences. They also receive therapeutic care and stipends to help support themselves economically.
Kate Fowle has three decades of international experience as a curator, pedagogue and director. Initially trained as an artist, she is currently the senior curatorial director at Hauser & Wirth and a board member of the Center for Art and Advocacy, an organization she helped artist Jesse Krimes establish in 2023, which supports artists who have formerly been incarcerated. Previously, she was director of MoMA PS1 (New York) and held leadership roles at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art (Moscow), Independent Curators International (New York), the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing) and California College of the Arts in San Francisco.
Eric Gleason currently serves as Head of Sales at Kasmin Gallery, which he joined as a Director in 2013. Prior to this, he held senior roles at such galleries as Marlborough Chelsea (New York) and Galerie Gmurzynska (Zurich). During his nearly twenty-year gallery career, Gleason has represented numerous contemporary artists such as Diana Al-Hadid and Judith Bernstein, as well as major 20th century Estates and Foundations such as that of Lee Krasner and Robert Motherwell. In April 2023, Gleason helped present Artistic Noise’s first-ever benefit auction, where he facilitated the donation of artwork by top-tier and emerging artists, securing more than $100,000 for the organization.
“Kate and Eric each bring incredible expertise and complementary perspectives to Artistic Noise,” said Calder Zwicky, Artistic Noise’s Executive Director. “I can’t imagine two people better suited to help our young people learn about the different avenues where their interests in art and creative expression can take them.”
“The staff, board, and participants of Artistic Noise are hands-down the most determined and audacious dreamers to learn from and spend time with. I am honored that they have invited me to take this next part of the journey with them and look forward to celebrating their continued rise.” Fowle said. Gleason added, “The role that Artistic Noise plays in its community is life-altering, and its potential for impacting an even wider population of system-involved youth is limitless. It is an honor to be joining the board of an organization in whose mission and leadership I believe so sincerely.”
About the appointment of Adrian J. Hopkins, the Senior Vice President of Internal Culture & Communications at the advertising agency Grey New York, Board Chairman Joshua Bell said, “Adrian has gone above and beyond for Artistic Noise. Having been a supporter for more than a decade, Adrian has a deep familiarity with our story and will do great work overseeing external affairs. In just the past few months alone, he has raised our visibility and launched relationships with partners who will amplify our participants and programming.” One of those partners is the Hannah Traore Gallery, who in June 2023 hosted a dedicated exhibition of Artistic Noise’s own young artists called “Immune Systems,” leading to many works being acquired by collectors and other New York City galleries as well as the organization's first broadcast television feature.
About Artistic Noise
Since 2001, Artistic Noise has connected the power of artistic practice with thousands of young people who are incarcerated, on probation, in foster care, or otherwise impacted by the juvenile justice system. Through visual arts and entrepreneurship programs, participants give voice to their experiences, build community through collaborative projects and explore a variety of valuable life skills in the process.
Artistic Noise programming creates safe and brave spaces where court-involved and system-involved young people can be seen, heard, and supported on their path to adulthood. We believe the practice of art making offers opportunities for young people and communities to transform and to grow. In particular, Artistic Noise helps young people share their individual stories to the public and advocate for themselves across their various communities.
Artistic Noise is based in Harlem, New York City.
Press Contacts
Calder Zwicky
Executive Director
646-256-7296
calderzwicky@artisticnoise.org
Adrian J. Hopkins
External Affairs Committee Chair, Board of Directors
804-350-0689
adrian.hopkins@artisticnoise.org
Joshua Bell
Chairman, Board of Directors
570-292-3888