Meet Nicole Capozzi of BoxHeart Gallery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Capozzi.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Nicole. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
BoxHeart was founded in 1998. In 2001, our creative enterprise found a brick and mortar location at 4523 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood. Inspired by the efforts of artist and gallery owner John Mowder, my husband, Joshua Hogan, and I sought out his Bloomfield ArtWorks location, met our landlords and officially opened in June 2001 with an exhibition and celebration that included every artist that wanted to participate.

Ten years later in 2011, we purchased our gallery building and began an endeavor to transform the upper floors into an exhibition, studio, and living space. After removing 17 tons of garbage and completing renovations, the third floor became my husband’s art studio and the second floor provided additional exhibition space as well as living area. In 2014, we began taking the show on the road selecting to exhibit with the echo Art Fair in Buffalo New York, the Love Art Fair in Toronto Canada, the Superfine! Art Fair in New York City, and the Aqua Art Fair in Miami Beach Florida. To begin 2018, we represented Pittsburgh on the West Coast by exhibiting with the LA Art Show in Los Angeles California.

Now almost 17 years and over 300 exhibitions later, we set our sights on the future. New artists continue to join BoxHeart’s roster and will present exhibitions, which are scheduled through 2020. They join in on the unfolding story of BoxHeart and our family of artists, many of whom have exhibited multiple times in the gallery’s 16-year history!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think opening, maintaining, and growing any business is ever a smooth road.

There are many struggles along the way that challenge your dreams and changes them.

Without going into the details of historical and cultural events that occurred, we opened in 2001 and made it through 2008 and 2009! In addition, we own an art gallery which is not something that most banking institutions understand when you’re looking for ways to finance improvements or purchase equipment. The infrastructure for artists to build a successful art career continues to grow in Pittsburgh. Professional artists and nonprofit organizations need the same programs that small for-profit art businesses need.

When our large institutions, corporations, and organizations ignore the vital role galleries play in the development of an artist’s long-term career, then the entire city’s arts robustness is severely limited — maybe even stagnant. From that standpoint, we exist because we understand our true audience, translate this understanding into artistic products and services that provide connectivity, and strive to deliver results that support a building of affinity, affection, and trust with both our artists and our customers.

Please tell us about BoxHeart Gallery.
BoxHeart Gallery represents works by exciting and technically proficient emerging and mid-career artists. Rotating monthly exhibitions provide an outlet for conceptually engaged and aesthetically resolved exhibitions that both reflect contemporary art issues and are relevant to the community. We also provide custom framing, art installation, and art consulting services.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t change a thing! Through our experiences and endeavors over the years I’ve learned the importance of persistence and consistency.

Pricing:

• Original artwork by living emerging and mid-career artists: Price range $10 – $10,000

Contact Info:

• Address: 4523 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15224
• Website: www.boxheartgallery.com
• Phone: 4126878858
• Email: boxheart@boxheartgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxheartgallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boxheartgallery/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxheart
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/box-heart-pittsburgh
• Other: https://www.artsy.net/boxheart

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.