Yubal Márquez Fleites, the owner of Arte Collective Contemporary & Fine Art in Southampton, sat down with James Lane Post to discuss his gallery and inspirations.
What inspired you to start Arte Collective?
I’ve always heard the saying: “One should listen to the inner child that lives within and speaks to us.” It’s funny how things work out, because since I was very young, according to my mother, I’ve always had an innate curiosity and fascination for the arts and creating in general.
And it was this very youthful interest that drew me in to admire the works of several particular artists, admire their creations, and explore their enchantments, mystery, and emotions. For example, this is the case with my all time favorite Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose work I’ve been intrigued with since I was about eight-years-old. His emotion, passion, life experience, poetry, aching and essence deeply resonated with me, and how it all came together in an imaginative ludic environment.
The universe that revolves around the art industry holds its own complexities and can certainly be an intricate one to navigate; this is particularly the case for artists that are in their formative years or early stages of their professional careers. For instance, one of the most common challenges that talented, underrepresented, and up-and-coming artists often face is how to exhibit their work in established and highly regarded galleries, exhibitions, and art shows. This sometimes brings the dilemma that if an artist doesn’t have “enough experience,” development or associations, even if the ability is there, the path can be a very steep one. In the beginning, Arte Collective was inspired by this need of providing great exhibition opportunities to those whose talent and creations had not been necessarily “discovered” in the mainstream before and it has evolved into fostering, developing, and supporting artists in all professional levels with a focus on modern and contemporary art.
Tell us a little about the gallery and the artists you represent.
One aspect that is constantly mentioned by visitors and clients is the welcoming environment and cheerful energy that characterizes our gallery, located at 50 Jobs Lane in Southampton Village. This is complemented by the carefully curated selection of original artworks and sculptures by our resident artists that are full of vivacity, color, and depth in both concept and context. We also have a beautiful sculpture garden with 2,000 square feet of outdoor space displaying works by our resident and guest artists and also serves as a space where we can all safely come together to celebrate the arts and host private gatherings.
I have had the blessing of working and collaborating with multiple artists from all walks of life, all of these past moments have served as an experience that has influenced how we work today. In our current gallery programming we have four very talented resident artists, Bob Clyatt, Bob Schwarz, David Rodriguez Francis, and Yenny Carruyo, whose existing works and latest creations will be shown in various exhibitions in the gallery throughout the year. Each of them has something very unique that makes them stand out, not only as artists, but as human beings as well.
Everything that is part of the artist flows onto their creations, their soul, ideals, emotions, faiths, and appreciation for sharing with the world something that is an innate part of what makes them who they are. As a rule, I won’t curate or represent an artist whose work I would not collect myself or display on my own walls. At first glance it’s the work itself, the energy that transpires from the piece, and is later validated by the artist, their concept and story. This is the key.
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to this point.
My family is originally from Cuba. I grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City about 10 years ago. Discipline and hard work has always been a part of my upbringing, first and foremost thanks to my loving and very Cuban mother Noemi — I owe her everything that I am today. I went to Military School during my formative years. I’m a US ARMY Veteran and was also part of the JAG Corps. Me in uniform and ready for anything, imagine that!
Soon after completing Law School, I decided to move from Puerto Rico in search of new opportunities and to expand my professional experience. Law School was a great academic experience that had always been a part of my professional goals, but I knew there was something else, something more that was closer to my passions waiting for me to discover.
Several great opportunities came to light across the United States, but it was New York that took the prize. I was offered a job at a very highly regarded and award winning multicultural advertising agency, this allowed me to put my marketing, production, experiential, and creative strategy background to work surrounded by a very talented team and leadership.
Like Frank Sinatra once said: “Ah, the city that never sleeps!” This was when I got reconnected to the arts. Being in New York, one is surrounded by inspiration and I was constantly invited to theatrical performances, art shows, and gallery exhibitions, these experiences further sparked the artistic and creative energy that the eight-year-old me had always “talked” about.
This lead to my first independently curated art show, then another and another, to participating in our first professional Art Fair (too many to count now), to opening our first pop up space in New York and Miami, to exhibiting at Art Basel Miami Week. Then came opening our first Gallery space in the Wynwood Art District, to more exhibitions and collaborations around the United States and beyond, and finally opening our gallery on the East End, which began in Bridgehampton.
From the first time I came to visit out East, I had always dreamed of having a gallery here, fast forward to the present and we are very grateful and appreciative that this is a reality today with our gallery in Southampton.
Talk a little about Southampton and why you picked it as the location for your gallery?
The Hamptons in general has a very interesting history that has always been appealing to me. From the first time that I was invited to visit for a weekend, I saw in the different areas something that I longed for; I grew up surrounded by ocean and nature, so I was instantly taken by all of its scenery, tranquility, and beauty.
Southampton has its own unique charm and classical style, in a very particular way it reminded me of home. We were very happy that in the midst of everything that happened last year, the Southampton Village leadership looked for ways to support all establishments in the area through its initiatives. I’ve come to have great relationships with new friends and clients alike, every day I get to meet and interact with the amazing people that are part of it and writing its history.
When we started in Southampton there were barely four or five galleries in the village, now we are part of a community of over 12 galleries and art institutions, that includes established organizations such as the Southampton Arts Center, the new Peter Marino Art Foundation, and famed auction houses such as Christie’s and Phillips. It’s honestly an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as these prestigious organizations. One can say that this makes the Southampton Village the unofficial art center of the Hamptons.
I certainly hope that we will be a part of this community for a very long time, and make it a home away from home.
What’s next for you and Arte Collective?
We have a very exciting time and year ahead of us. One of our most important goals is to be able to foster, promote, support, and develop the arts, creativity and culturally on the East End, especially in Southampton and neighboring areas, while also giving back to the organizations and institutions that we believe in.
Starting with the opening event for Hamptons Fashion Week, followed by our participation in this year’s edition of the Market Art + Design Art Fair in Bridgehampton. We have also partnered with Northwell Health and the Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation to host an event in recognition of our Health Care Heroes and their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We will also be supporting one of our favorite causes during the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Annual “Unconditional Love” Gala and later in the year with our “Barks for Art” event at the gallery. We have several more upcoming projects to announce that promise to be very exciting.
In December, we will be heading back to Florida to exhibit during one of the most important and awaited dates in the art world, the highly anticipated Art Basel Miami Week. Following that, and in even better news, our resident artist Bob Clyatt has been chosen and invited to be a part of a very selected group of artists from around the world to exhibit his work at Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Arte Collective will host the Hamptons Fashion Week kick off party on Friday, August 6, from 5 to 8 PM. Visit www.artecollective.com.
