A women-owned art gallery, Alentar was founded by Christine Kierig and Claire Westwood with the goal of cultivating the artistic growth and public appreciation of un-/under-exhibited artists, predominantly from Latin America. Christine brings a wealth of knowledge from her curatorial experience and extensive art historical education, while Claire’s fascination and admiration of contemporary art trends and her background in community engagement enrich our vision of creating a more transparent gallery space.
Our central mission is to cultivate meaningful connections between artworks and collectors, emphasizing the importance of close-looking to foster appreciation for artistic techniques, object histories, and the cultural narratives encapsulated within each piece. Additionally, we see the gallery as a site for intellectual growth, where artists and audiences can learn more about the art market, curatorial choices, and art history generally.
Through our dynamic virtual platform, including our website and active social media presence, alongside in-person pop-up exhibitions in cities around the world, we invite audiences to engage directly with the art and artists we champion, creating a shared space for discovery and inspiration.
Alentar is a Spanish word that means: to foster, encourage, cultivate. An alternative configuration of these letters, Lentar, means to slow down. These words, in their varied meanings, come together in our mission and vision for the gallery. We encourage you to slow down and spend some time with our objects, online or in-person, let them take up space in your imagination, let them speak to you, move you, excite you, and then maybe take one home.