CHICAGO/NEW YORK—Gray is pleased to welcome Laura Lester as Director. Lester joins Gray under the leadership of recently appointed Partner Sharon Kim, and gallery Principals Valerie Carberry and Paul Gray.
“One of the goals we set early in this unprecedented and challenging time for business was to remain focused on long-term and measured growth,” stated Carberry. “The hire of Laura Lester is a key component of that plan. Her deep experience in American Modern and postwar art is a strong addition to the high quality of service and expertise that identifies the gallery.”
Lester will be based out of Gray’s Upper East Side outpost alongside Sharon Kim, who, prior to her position at Gray, served as International Director of Impressionist & Modern Art at Christie’s. “I am delighted Laura has joined Gray,” Kim says. “Her passion, knowledge and expertise are highly regarded by all who have worked with her and I look forward to reuniting with her in our New York gallery.”
Lester began her career at Gagosian in 2009, and joined Christie’s in 2013 where she served as an Associate Specialist in the postwar and contemporary department. Lester most recently served as a Director of Kasmin Gallery, where she co-headed the estates program and organized monographic exhibitions of Modern and postwar artists including Lee Krasner, Stuart Davis and Elie Nadelman.
Lester received a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and English Literature from Indiana University in Bloomington, and a Master of Arts in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s Education in New York.
“Beginning this next chapter at Gray is profoundly exciting,” stated Lester in response to the announcement. “As a Chicagoan-turned-New-Yorker with a background in postwar and contemporary art, Gray’s presence in both cities and expansive roster resonates with me on a deeply personal level.”
For press inquiries, please contact Rebecca Daniel, 312.642.8877, rdm@richardgraygallery.com.