PORTFOLIO

 

(Project Briefs are not in order of date)

Project Brief: fordProject

fordPROJECT was a groundbreaking curatorial initiative launched as a private exhibition space under the umbrella of Ford Models Inc. Conceived as a dynamic platform for contemporary art, the project reimagined the gallery experience through a rotating series of exhibitions, site-specific installations, artist commissions, public programs, publications, and limited editions.

Occupying a sophisticated duplex penthouse space in Manhattan, fordPROJECT presented a global vision—bringing together international artists, curators, collectives, and institutions to foster dialogue and collaboration across disciplines. The program emphasized innovation in curatorial practice and embraced both established and emerging voices in contemporary art.

In addition to its exhibitions, fordPROJECT served as a formal platform for educational programming, including lecture series, artist talks, and thought-leadership events. It worked in close collaboration with museums, galleries, nonprofits, and art centers around the world—contributing to the evolving conversation on the future of private art spaces and digital integration within the arts.

As a branch of Ford Models Inc., the project uniquely bridged the worlds of art, fashion, and design, and helped pioneer new models of engagement for collectors and institutions alike.

 

fordPROJECT

Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Observer, and other leading international art and culture publications

As Managing Director, Rachel Vancelette curated and developed the creative vision and programming strategy for fordPROJECT—a pioneering curatorial initiative that operated for three years in a private Manhattan duplex space under the Ford Models umbrella. The platform offered a sophisticated yet experimental environment for contemporary art, presenting exhibitions, site-specific installations, artist commissions, public programs, editions, and publications.

She led the project’s curatorial direction and spatial design, transforming the gallery into an elegant, multi-use venue. Her programming emphasized cross-disciplinary, international collaboration and fostered dialogue between artists, curators, collectives, and institutions worldwide.

As part of her forward-thinking leadership, she also oversaw the development of a custom iPad software experience that allowed visitors to virtually navigate the gallery and interact with multimedia content. The platform featured exclusive video interviews with each exhibiting artist, offering insights into their creative processes. At the time, this integration of technology into the gallery experience was considered groundbreaking—extending audience engagement beyond the physical exhibition and setting a precedent for digital innovation in the art world.

Vancelette also collaborated closely with BLACKLOTS, an innovative company that sought to reimagine the traditional auction format by bringing the auction block directly into the gallery setting. This partnership helped bridge the gap between primary and secondary markets and introduced new models for transparency, collector engagement, and digital participation—further reinforcing fordPROJECT’s role as a hub for experimentation and boundary-pushing ideas in the art world.

Beyond exhibitions, fordPROJECT served as a formal platform for educational initiatives, lecture series, and strategic partnerships with museums, art centers, and nonprofit institutions. Under her leadership, the initiative received widespread media coverage and critical acclaim, positioning it as a leading example of a private art space with global impact during its three-year run.

Key Accomplishments

Curatorial and Creative Leadership: Designed and directed the exhibition program and artistic vision, from concept development to installation and public engagement.

International Artist Engagement: Built global relationships with artists, curators, and institutions to shape a diverse, forward-thinking program.

Digital Innovation: Developed an interactive iPad software experience featuring gallery navigation and artist video interviews—an early and innovative blend of technology and exhibition design.

Auction Market Collaboration: Partnered with BLACKLOTS to integrate live auction components into the gallery setting, pioneering a hybrid model of collecting that engaged both primary and secondary markets.

Critical Recognition: Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Observer, and other top-tier publications covering art and culture.

Educational and Public Programs: Produced lecture series, artist talks, and public events to further the mission of cross-cultural dialogue and contemporary thought.

Architectural Integration: Curated the design experience within a distinctive private exhibition space, creating immersive spatial contexts for each presentation.

(Collector Richard Chang: Left) 

Project Brief: DOMUS COLLECTION

Managed by Rachel Vancelette | www.domuscollection.com

In 2009, Rachel Vancelette served as Manager of the DOMUS Collection, a distinguished private collection dedicated to post-war and contemporary art. She was responsible for the comprehensive management of the collection, including acquisitions, curatorial strategy, and institutional collaborations.

A key milestone was leading the DOMUS Collection’s international exhibition at gallery White Space in Beijing, introducing the collection to the Asian market and fostering dialogue between Western contemporary art and Chinese audiences. Vancelette managed curatorial development, logistics, and public relations for the exhibition. She represented the collection in national Chinese media and provided expert insights featured in Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy’s leading financial newspaper.

Beyond exhibition management, Vancelette authored the narrative script for the collection’s brand storytelling and designed conceptual layouts for potential future exhibition spaces and private viewing environments. These spatial design strategies were developed to enhance the collection’s presentation globally and to envision bespoke experiences for collectors, institutions, and cultural partners.

Additionally, she provided market insights, made introductions and acquisition strategy guidance for the debut of the collection, contributing to the collection’s growth and positioning as a globally recognized private art collection.

Learn more: www.domuscollection.com

Artforum: The Beijing art world is moving from 798, which is fatally touristic, to Caochangdi. The perfectly proportioned spaces of this gallery are inside a gated courtyard in a poor suburb beyond the fifth ring road near the airport. In this exhibition, which juxtaposes dramatically different visual cultures, a large concave work by Anish Kapoor is hung at the far end of each of the two long rooms. One, a mirror, reflects the butterflies of Damien Hirst’s majestic Soulful, 2008; the other, painted steel, is set against Barnaby Furnas’s abstract landscape Dark Day I, 2008. Ding Yi’s Appearance of Crosses, 2006–2007, crayon and charcoal on reddish canvas, an allover decorative pattern of small crosses, is installed between these galleries in which figurative Chinese paintings are displayed. Liu Xiaodong’s mammoth Courbetesque Tibet Railway, 2007, plays against Aya Takano’s On the Way to Revolution, 2008, whose floating animal and human bodies depict chaos, and Zhang Xiaogang’s enigmatic double portrait 2001 No. 8. Shi Xinning’s grisaille Twelve Beauties, 2008, pictures beautiful women surrounding and admiring Mao Zedong and is located in a room that is dominated by Fang Lijun’s twenty-three-foot-high woodcut 1999.6.1, which is composed of six classical scrolls that depict enormous raging revolutionaries close up.

 

(Photos by Rachel D. Vancelette)

Project Brief: Gladstone Gallery – 21st Street Opening

Senior Director: Rachel Vancelette

As Senior Director, Rachel Vancelette played a pivotal role in the launch and operational opening of Gladstone Gallery’s 21st Street location in West Chelsea, New York. The 10,000 square foot gallery, designed by Selldorf Architects, was purpose-built to showcase large-scale sculpture, installation, and contemporary works requiring monumental spatial presentation.

Vancelette oversaw all curatorial, operational, and strategic preparations for the space’s debut, guiding the final phases of construction, architectural integration, and programming readiness. She collaborated closely with architects, designers, and artists to ensure the gallery’s smooth transition from an active construction site to a fully realized exhibition space.

A major highlight of the launch was the inaugural exhibition by Anish Kapoor, one of the most celebrated contemporary sculptors. The show utilized the gallery’s dramatic 50 x 50 foot column-free exhibition hall, featuring a 22-foot ceiling, exposed trusses, and a singular skylight that bathed the space in natural light—providing an ideal setting for Kapoor’s monumental and spatially engaging works.

Beyond the opening, Vancelette continued to oversee exhibition planning, installations, and client relations, establishing the 21st Street space as a landmark destination in the Chelsea arts district and a critical extension of the Gladstone Gallery brand.

Architect: Selldorf Architects
Location: West Chelsea, New York

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Kaz Oshiro in Yvon Lambert 21st Street Space

Project Brief: Yvon Lambert Gallery – 21st Street Launch

Senior Director: Rachel Vancelette

Rachel Vancelette led the launch of Yvon Lambert Gallery’s 21st Street location in New York City, collaborating closely with artist Richard Jackson and architect Richard Gluckman. Positioned within a column-free, light-filled environment tailored for major installations and exhibitions, the space marked a strategic expansion of Lambert’s presence in the Chelsea art district, originally known as Bunaglow 8.

The space located in Chelsea, New York. The gallery opened the 7,500 sq ft space designed by Richard Gluckman in collaboration with Thomas Zolli and Rachel Vancelette herself.  She led the transformation of the iconic Bungalow 8 nightclub space in Chelsea into the Yvon Lambert Gallery’s 21st Street new location. Formerly a legendary celebrity nightlife destination, Bungalow 8 was renowned for its exclusivity and bungalow-inspired design. The discreet, warehouse-style venue had defined New York’s early 2000s nightlife before its closure around 2007. Vancelette directed the reimagining of this culturally significant space into a refined, minimalist gallery designed by Richard Gluckman. She oversaw architectural adaptations, curatorial planning, and operational execution to convert the former nightclub into a premier contemporary art gallery suited for large-scale installations and conceptual exhibitions.

This conversion required not only architectural and design innovation but also a strategic shift in audience and cultural positioning—from the clandestine energy of a nightclub to the contemplative environment of a contemporary art space. Vancelette collaborated closely with Gluckman’s architectural team, artists, and Yvon Lambert to ensure the space honored its New York legacy while redefining it within the global art market.

The inaugural exhibition featured works by Richard Jackson, setting the tone for the gallery’s ambitious programming and spatial capabilities. Through this transformation, Vancelette positioned Yvon Lambert Gallery as a significant presence in the Chelsea arts district, bridging cultural histories with contemporary artistic discourse.

Vancelette oversaw final architectural coordination, spatial programming, and installation logistics—ensuring that Gluckman’s minimalist gallery design supported a flexible and immersive environment. She directed collaboration among construction teams, artists, and curators to finalize technical elements such as lighting, flow, and display systems.

She also shaped the inaugural exhibition content strategy, working with Richard Jackson, managed Yvon Lambert staff as a growing team and ensured the programming reflected the gallery’s high caliber and architectural intentions, moving the gallery from 25th to 21st, and also for about a year managing both spaces. Through media engagement and public relations, she helped establish press visibility for the opening while embedding the historical french gallery within New York’s competitive contemporary art ecosystem.

This project reinforced Vancelette’s reputation for expertly guiding gallery launches—merging design vision, architectural discipline, and programmatic excellence to introduce transformative exhibition spaces into the art world.

Richard Jackson Studio by Rachel Vancelette (Prior to the launch) 

Project Brief: De Buck Gallery – Six Cortlandt Alley Presentation

Client: De Buck Gallery
Curator / Lead: Rachel D. Vancelette (Curated by Rachel Vancelette)
Location: Six Cortlandt Alley, Tribeca, New York City
Date: Fall 2017 (opening by appointment beginning September 15, 2017) 
Project Type: Site-specific exhibition within a luxury residential development, as part of the De Buck Gallery’s expanded international programming. 

News Click Here: Announcement

For Video: Click Here to Watch

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Project Overview

Rachel Vancelette curated a special gallery presentation housed within a luxury residential space—a loft at Tribeca’s Six Cortlandt Alley—as part of De Buck Gallery’s strategic expansion across New York, Saint-Paul de Vence, and Antwerp.

This project represented a creative departure from the traditional gallery context, translating fine art into a refined residential environment, co‑presented with Halstead Property Development Marketing

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Objectives

• Transform Residential Space into Exhibition Venue: Reconceive a residential loft as an art presentation platform, blending lifestyle architecture with fine art curation.

• Complement Gallery Expansion Strategy: Support De Buck Gallery’s broadened global reach and audience engagement through innovative exhibition formats.

• Feature De Buck’s Expanded Roster: Present a diverse artist lineup, including Juan Garaizabal, Jeffrey Gibson, Robert Lazzarini, Devan Shimoyama, and others, leveraging De Buck's new represented artists as well as established names. She brought the artists to the exhibition and also for representation at DeBuck Gallery along with other noted names. 

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Scope & Deliverables

• Curatorial Concept & Artist Selection: Developed a cohesive narrative and art selection that responded to the architectural and residential nature of the site.

• Spatial Design & Placement Strategy: Orchestrated the art placement within the loft’s unique spatial layout—balancing sightlines, light, and residential ambiance.

• Coordination & Stakeholder Management: Collaborated with De Buck Gallery leadership, Halstead Property Marketing, and property developers to align branding, logistics, and visitor experience.

• Public Access Plan: Established appointment‑based visitation, ensuring exclusivity and synergy with the residential format (open by appointment beginning September 15, 2017).

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Key Highlights & Impact

• Innovative Curation: Reimagined the home as a gallery space—bridging fine art and luxury living, and expanding curatorial possibilities beyond conventional venues.

• Brand Alignment: Enhanced both De Buck Gallery’s reputation for international, boundary-pushing programming and Rachel Vancelette’s reputation as an inventive curator capable of transcending context.

• Artist Exposure: Provided a platform for newly represented artists (Lazzarini, Shimoyama) within sculptural and painting mediums, while situating them among established voices.

• Media & Market Visibility: Generated visibility for De Buck Gallery within real estate, art, and marketing circles through this hybrid exhibition model.

• Exhibition Curator: Conceptualized and executed the art program for a non-traditional, residential setting.

• Spatial Strategist: Skillfully mapped artwork placement in relation to unique architectural elements and ambient conditions.

• Project Coordinator: Led cross-sector coordination between an art gallery, property marketers, and architectural stakeholders.

• Creative Innovator: Pioneered a hybrid art-meets-residential platform that elevated curation through context.

"The gallery looks ahead to exhibitions by newly represented artists Lazzarini and Shimoyama in New York in fall 2017. Robert Lazzarini’s first show with De Buck, Inflorescence, featuring new work and the artist’s first presentation of painting in New York City opens September 14, 2017 and will remain on view through October 26, 2017. Artist Devan Shimoyama’s first show with the gallery will precede his upcoming solo exhibition at the Andy Warhol Museum in 2018 curated by Jessica Beck and Jose Carlos Diaz. Jeffrey Gibson will be the subject of a traveling, mid-career exhibition titled “LIKE A HAMMER,” to debut at the Denver Art Museum. A solo presentation of the artist’s work will be on view at De Buck Gallery’s France location next spring to coincide with the exhibition’s tour. The gallery also looks forward to public art projects in process by Spanish artist Juan Garaizabal, and a major new body of work by Rashaad Newsome, who has been with the gallery since 2016, to premiere at the Park Avenue Armory."

 

Project Brief – Institutional Placement & Museum Collaborations

Rachel Vancelette’s career spans decades of expertise in institutional placements, museum collaborations, and strategic marketing of exhibitions and collections. Her work bridges the worlds of curatorial innovation, market strategy, and cultural outreach—connecting artists, institutions, and audiences across the United States and internationally.

Institutional Placement & ExhibitsUSA

Early in her career, Rachel worked with ExhibitsUSA in the marketing department, focusing on the placement of museum-quality institutional exhibitions across the United States. Collaborating closely with leading curators, she successfully placed traveling exhibitions into top regional and national museums, building long-term relationships with cultural leaders and enhancing public access to world-class art.

Top Gallery Collaborations & Acquisitions

In her primary roles with prestigious international galleries, Rachel was instrumental in the placement of significant artworks into major museum collections. This includes facilitating the acquisition of works such as Carlos Amorales at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), alongside numerous other acquisitions by globally recognized artists for both private collectors and institutions. Her experience spans post-war, contemporary, and emerging artists, with placements in institutions and collections worldwide.

Art x Puzzles – Museum Retail & Collector Editions

As founder and creative director of ART X PUZZLES, Rachel oversaw the development and placement of limited-edition collector puzzles in collaboration with celebrated artists. These limited editions were successfully placed in the museum stores of notable institutions, including the Museum of Arts and Design (MADD), Dallas Museum of Art, and Brooklyn Museum, among many others. This initiative not only supported artists and charities during the pandemic but also bridged fine art with accessible, collectible design.

Rachel’s strategic expertise in institutional placement has advanced the visibility of contemporary artists, enriched museum programming, and cultivated meaningful connections between the art world and broader audiences. Her proven track record underscores her ability to navigate both the commercial and institutional sectors, ensuring cultural and financial success for the artists, galleries, and institutions she represents.

Project Brief: 

App Development

Programming

Logo and Brand Development/Execution

Website Design

Software Development

Virtual Galleries

Product Design

(Not in order of timeline)

 

Project Brief: ART X PUZZLES 

Founder, Project Lead & Creative Director: Rachel Vancelette
www.artxpuzzles.com

Rachel Vancelette founded, led, and directed the full development of ART X PUZZLES, transforming a pandemic-era idea into a fully realized global platform. As project lead, she oversaw the end-to-end process—from conceptualization and branding to the design, architecture, and launch of the official website, www.artxpuzzles.com.

Vancelette guided a dedicated engineering and design team to build a website that functioned as both a digital exhibition space and an e-commerce platform. The site was strategically designed to showcase over 180 artists and 20 curators, enabling global audiences to explore limited-edition collectible puzzles, learn about featured artists, and engage with curated art content.

Key Features & Achievements:

• Brand Identity & Visual Design: Directed the creation of the logo, brand language, and visual identity across digital and physical formats. Product Design and Development with each edition being unique and individual.

• Website Architecture & UX: Led the design of a user-friendly, visually engaging platform with seamless navigation between artist profiles, curator highlights, and online purchasing.

• E-Commerce Integration: Developed secure, direct-to-consumer sales channels for special edition puzzles and artist collaborations.

• Content Strategy: Implemented editorial content, storytelling, and curator insights to enrich the digital experience.

• Institutional Collaboration: Supported partnerships with museums, institutions, and nonprofits, expanding the platform’s cultural impact. Placement at over 10 museum institutions. 
  
  

Through strategic leadership and creative direction, Vancelette ensured that ART X PUZZLES became not just an art commerce site, but a vibrant community platform that bridged art, storytelling, and collectible design during a time of global connection and isolation.

 

Project Brief:  – Virtual Gallery Project

Creative Direction & Development: Rachel Vancelette

Rachel Vancelette led the design and development of a virtual gallery experience in memory of the former Yvon Lambert New York space, which once operated in Chelsea and no longer exists physically. This digital project was created during the pandemic to reimagine the lost space and provide an accessible platform for artists and audiences at a time when in-person exhibitions were not possible.

In partnership with the ART X PUZZLES initiative and other rovering projects, the virtual gallery was designed with VGAA agency to showcase a curated selection of contemporary artists through an immersive, interactive experience. Visitors could explore the virtual space, view artworks, and engage with artist narratives, providing a vital connection to contemporary creativity during a period of global isolation.

Vancelette’s creative direction captured the architectural memory of the former space while innovating with digital storytelling and exhibition formats, ensuring the gallery’s spirit lived on in a new and engaging way.

 

APP DEVELOPMENT:

GLUTEN GIRL: APPLE STORE APP | Development to Design

Gluten-Girl is your expert high quality gluten-free recipe calendar experience. Receive daily and monthly gluten-free recipe alerts. Discover the ease of a gluten-free lifestyle and the variety of recipes and cuisines available today! Gluten-Girl strives to provide simplicity to cooking gluten-free. You can still have all the great foods you always craved and loved! Investigate the "Chef's Choice" presenting international cuisines and product selections while checking out the "Tips Section" for cooking tips and suggestions providing ease, speed and simplicity! Mark your personal calendar for upcoming recipe alerts and/or email Gluten-Girl directly with questions and feedback. 

Additional Features
365 calendar of daily gluten-free recipes. 
Review Gluten-Free Tip Section and suggestions presented by Gluten Girl. 
Navigate at your own pace and integrate your calendar with the latest Daily Recipes. 
Share recipes in Twitter, Facebook and email with friends who might appreciate it. 
Learn more about international cuisines that surprisingly are gluten-free! 
Discover Gluten-Free products that help ease the confusion of cooking gluten-free. 
Chef's Choice: Provides monthly regional and international cuisines with tips on maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle. 
Gluten-Free Products Section provides descriptions and ingredients. 
Email Gluten-Girl directly with questions and feedback. 

Wanting to share her personal journey from a diagnosis with celiac disease, nothing was readily available to help with simple tips, ideas and great recipes that fit a fast pace life style of NYC. GG decided to share with others some of the ways she found to eat deliciously and safely, while avoiding the dangers hidden in grocery stores, restaurants and your own refrigerator!

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BABY GIGGLES: APPLE STORE APP | Development to Design

 

Baby Giggles: Baby Giggles stops a fussy, crying baby instantly. Giggles and entertainment for your baby for hours- at play or at rest- this app can provide a soothing choice to calm your baby in any situation. Easy to click button with different choices of giggles to play! Giggles and cooing sounds  been known to calm and sometimes sooth a baby to sleep.  In the middle of a crowd or in the car- this app will be your new best friend! Baby Giggle cycles through baby giggles and laugh tracks in order to sooth your baby and provide hours of entertainment to your little ones.

If you have a more interactive baby, turn on the “Giggle on Tap” feature, which will allow him or her to invoke the giggles on demand.

Click on ‘record your own giggle’ and share friends’ giggles and your own baby’s giggle for a lifetime of memories: Go to My Giggle. BabyGiggleapp and take it on long car rides, a trip to grocery store and at bedtime. It allows moms anywhere “on the go” to keep their child peacefully entertained for hours. 

 

ARTSEEN | APPLE STORE APP | Development to Design

ARTSEEN is your expert high quality contemporary art calendar experience. Receive daily and monthly artists' alerts. Discover and view your favorite contemporary artist on a daily basis and investigate the curatorial spotlight whenever you want, wherever you are. Mark your personal calendar for upcoming artists' alerts and/or email the artists and art curators directly. Be the first to discover the latest contemporary artists and curators working in the field today.

Additional Features:
365 calendar of daily artists. Review each artists' background and approach to art on a daily basis.Navigate at your own pace and integrate your calendar with the latest artists’ selections images and information. Share artwork images and curatorial spotlight section with friends who might appreciate it. Learn more about international contemporary curators actively working today. Curatorial Spotlight: Presenting a new international curator monthly with the latest project, biography and artist selections. Review artists' biography, upcoming projects and exhibitions. Rating System: Users have at their fingertips the ability to rate the daily artist selection. View art in high resolution and pinch zoom it to concentrate on specific portion of the image. Links to artist videos, website and latest projects. Email curators directly with questions and feedback.

 

ArtSEENMatch is a next-generation website serving the rapidly evolving art industry and art community. Located in New York, AS has connections and access globally to art industry leaders, art businesses and multiple segments of the art industry.  New York City is seen by most as the central hub of the international art industry, known for having world class art businesses, artist communities, galleries, museums, art organizations and endless access to the world’s emerging and established artists. ASM provides new iPhone applications presenting the latest technologies to efficiently access contemporary artists working worldwide. AS’s initiatives to reach a broader art audience is a key component, further facilitating the viewing of the artists’ latest studio practices, exhibitions and curatorial collaborations. 

Through the combined efforts of diverse skill sets, the ASM internationally based team has created a fresh model for individuals to engage contemporary art and international contemporary art curators, free of geographical constraints. 

The ASM Team selects international curators based on their ongoing and multifaceted relationships to artists and contemporary art. The goals are to internationally showcase a diverse range of perspectives and views, emphasizing the artist’s studio practice, geography, projects and exhibitions. 

How are guest ASM curators chosen? ASM invites influential cultural figures to participate as curators each month, introducing the ASM community to a grouping and/or selection based around themes and geographical location. The selections are presented exclusively on ArtSEEN to an international community at the touch of a button. 

Which galleries, artfairs and biennales featured? ASM makes selections based on the program, critical and institutional engagement,international presence and the highest standards currently in the art industry.

Curators: ArtSeenMatch works with the best international associations of curators dealing in contemporary art. ASM represents the professional interests of curators from across the world and brings them together to exchange ideas through the use of new technologies. 

Artists: A catalyst for independent thinking, ASM connects emerging and established artists with curators and institutions, to forge international networks and generate new forms of collaboration worldwide. Working across disciplines and historical precedents, ASM provides access to the people, ideas, and practices that are key to current developments in the field, inspiring fresh ways of seeing and contextualizing contemporary art.

Breaking new technologies: Providing a comprehensive and dedicated online space for curated selections of contemporary art, ASM does not sell or represent artists. Rather, we provide a serious opportunity for curatorial international exchange and collaboration with the facets of the option of curators to submit a short exhibition or selection essay to accompanies the Curators Choice. This educational IPhone application ArtSeen has merged strong partnerships with international cable companies, thus providing information to communities worldwide.

 

ARTSEEN – Logo Design & Brand Identity

Creative Direction by Rachel Vancelette

The ARTSEEN logo was developed as a bold, modern visual identity for a media-forward art platform dedicated to showcasing artists through video storytelling and curated content. Designed under the creative direction of Rachel Vancelette, the logo merges visual symbolism with digital fluency—capturing the platform’s mission to make art visible, accessible, and interactive.

The logo features a stylized eye enclosing a play button, symbolizing both seeing and watching, and referencing the project’s foundation in video and digital media. The typography integrates a custom sans-serif treatment that emphasizes clarity and motion, with a sleek gradient from gray to red—suggesting transition, energy, and a global creative pulse.

Two versions of the logo were created: a light version for clean, editorial environments, and a dark version for immersive video and screen applications. This dual-use identity was essential for cross-platform adaptability—from web to mobile to on-screen broadcast.

Vancelette worked closely with a branding team to ensure every design element reflected the ethos of ARTSEEN: to spotlight artists and creatives from around the world in a way that is dynamic, modern, and inclusive.

 

fordPROJECT iPad Experience

Creative Direction & Concept Development by Rachel Vancelette

As part of the innovative vision behind fordPROJECT, Rachel Vancelette conceptualized and led the development of a custom iPad software experience that redefined how viewers engaged with contemporary art in a gallery setting. Developed in collaboration with a team of engineers and designers, the platform was launched as a pioneering digital companion to the exhibitions presented at fordPROJECT’s private Manhattan gallery.

This bespoke application allowed users to virtually walk through the curated gallery space and explore individual artworks in detail. Each artwork was accompanied by multimedia content, including high-resolution images, curatorial notes, and exclusive artist interviews presented in video format. The experience empowered visitors to gain deeper insights into the artists' practices and provided a meaningful, tech-integrated extension of the physical exhibition.

The interface was designed with clean, intuitive navigation and a visually driven layout that reflected the elegant aesthetic of the gallery itself. The software not only enriched the on-site experience but also served as a remote access tool for global collectors, curators, and institutions—positioning fordPROJECT at the forefront of digital innovation in the art world.

At a time when such integrations were rare, this project bridged fine art with emerging tech in a way that was both sophisticated and user-friendly. The initiative reinforced Vancelette’s commitment to expanding access, storytelling, and audience engagement through thoughtful design and strategic use of technology.

 

Vancelette Signature – E-Commerce Platform & Product Experience

Creative Direction and Development Led by Rachel Vancelette

The Vancelette Signature online platform was designed, developed, and executed with meticulous attention to detail under the leadership of Rachel Vancelette. Working in close collaboration with a dedicated engineering and design team, Vancelette oversaw every aspect of the platform’s creation—from product interface and user journey to custom order flow and brand integration.

Built to showcase handcrafted luxury accessories, the website emphasizes clarity, elegance, and a seamless inquiry-based shopping experience tailored to the bespoke nature of the collection. Each product page was uniquely structured to reflect the artisanal process behind the Vancelette Signature line, incorporating custom views, inquiry form integration, and detailed product storytelling.

This e-commerce experience was intentionally crafted to balance exclusivity with accessibility, allowing clients to engage with the brand in a refined digital environment. Vancelette’s vision fused high design with functional technology, resulting in a user-centric interface that reflects the artistry and craftsmanship of the collection itself.

 

Project Brief

Monochrome: Art of Single Colour → Monochromes: From Malevich to the Present
Associate Curator to Dr. Barbara Rose
Locations: New York, Italy, and Spain

Rachel Vancelette served as Associate Curator and editorial researcher to celebrated art historian and critic Dr. Barbara Rose on what would become a landmark publication in the field of modern and contemporary art.

Originally developed under the working title Monochrome: Art of Single Colour, the project evolved over several years and was ultimately published by the University of California Press in 2006 as Monochromes: From Malevich to the Present. This richly illustrated book became the first comprehensive historical survey of monochromatic art, spanning media including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation.

The publication traces the philosophical, spiritual, and conceptual significance of the monochrome, beginning with early innovators like Kazimir Malevich and Yves Klein, and continuing through pivotal voices such as Ad Reinhardt, Lucio Fontana, Robert Ryman, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.

Rachel’s curatorial and editorial work contributed to the international scope of the book and related curatorial research. She supported Dr. Rose in artist correspondence, lender negotiations, archival review, and the refinement of critical essays. Collaborating with institutions and artists across New York, Spain, and Italy, she played a foundational role in the book’s development from concept to publication.

Featuring over 160 full-color reproductions and essays by Barbara Rose, Gladys Fabre, Christopher K. Ho, and Vincenzo Trione, the book remains a definitive reference for scholars, artists, and collectors. Rachel’s work on this project marked an early milestone in her career and reflects her enduring commitment to thoughtful, research-driven curation and global cultural dialogue.

Rachel also executed the last personal interview of Barbara Rose in 2019. She was granted the rare exclusive. Read full interview @ Metropolitan Magazine | CLICK HERE 

Article originally published in 2019/ Republished in 2021 (In Memoriam) 

Project Brief

Sotheby’s London – Contemporary Art Department
Assistant to the Contemporary Art Team | Research Library
Location: London, UK

While studying in London, Rachel Vancelette worked as an assistant in the Contemporary Art Department at Sotheby’s London, supporting blue-chip contemporary art auctions under the mentorship of Oliver Barker and Cheyenne Westphal. Working within the Contemporary Art Research Library, she contributed to artist documentation, provenance research, cataloguing, and curatorial preparation for international sales.

This foundational role provided Rachel with direct insight into the global art market, its inner workings, and the rigorous scholarship behind each transaction—an experience that shaped her curatorial vision and deepened her commitment to research-led storytelling.

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Ongoing Guest Lecturer | Sotheby’s Institute of Art

As an alumna of the Sotheby’s Institute of Art (MA in Art Business, London), Rachel has returned many times over the years as a guest lecturer, engaging with graduate students across Art Business, Art & Luxury, and Curating programs. Her lectures are known for bridging the commercial, curatorial, and creative dimensions of the global art world—with a special focus on the dynamic intersection of Art x Fashion.

Lecture topics include:

• The evolution of art x fashion collaborations

• Strategic partnerships between artists and luxury brands

• Building artist legacies across creative industries

• Market trends in contemporary art and luxury culture

• Digital storytelling, branding, and experiential campaigns

Rachel draws on her experience working with top artists, fashion houses, and institutions to reveal how art and fashion converge to shape cultural capital and commerce. Her talks  offered students an insider’s look at how to navigate—and innovate within—the ever-evolving landscape of the creative economy.

Learn more at Sotheby’s Institute of Art: CLICK HERE

She has also guest lectures at such institutions as Ringling School of Art, Salesforce among others. 

Lecture on Crossing the Divide Between Technology and Art: On Digital Currency and Finding Your Voice. Salesforce Headquarters/NYC.

 

Project Brief

Title: Telluride Arts & Steeprock Joinery – Artist-in-Residence and Solo Exhibition Initiative

Overview:
Telluride Arts, in partnership with Steeprock Joinery, proudly presents a unique Artist-in-Residence that brought internationally recognized talent to the heart of Telluride, Colorado. This initiative supports the creation, exhibition, and community engagement of a distinguished international artist, providing them with the time, space, and resources to produce new work while fostering meaningful cultural exchange with the local community. Ignitied by VGAA Corp and concieved as one-time opportunity to extend the reach to an international artist. 

Project Goals:

• Cultural Enrichment: Introduce Telluride residents and visitors to new global perspectives in contemporary art.

• Creative Production: Offer the artist a focused residency at Steeprock Joinery, equipped with specialized tools, facilities, and expert craft support to bring ambitious ideas to life.

• Public Engagement: Present a solo exhibition in collaboration with Telluride Arts, offering direct public access to the artist’s creative process and final works.

• Community Integration: Facilitate artist talks, workshops, and studio visits, connecting the artist with local creatives, students, and cultural organizations.

Residency Structure:

• Location: Steeprock Joinery, Telluride, Colorado

• Duration: Multi-week residency leading up to the exhibition

• Facilities: State-of-the-art woodworking and metalworking equipment, expert technical support, and private studio space

• Support: Housing, materials stipend, curatorial guidance, and local community introductions

Exhibition:

• Venue: Telluride Arts HQ Gallery (or designated exhibition space within the Telluride Arts District)

• Format: Solo exhibition debuting new work created during the residency, aligned with a major cultural event in Telluride (e.g., Telluride Film Festival) to maximize visibility and attendance

• Programming: Opening reception, artist talk, guided tours, and press coverage across regional, national, and international media. Video Diary excution from concept to launching of daily diary at Steeprock Joinery Residency. 

Impact:
By uniting Telluride Arts’ curatorial vision with Steeprock Joinery’s unparalleled craftsmanship resources, this project positions Telluride as a destination for global artistic innovation. The program not only spotlights an international artist but also strengthens Telluride’s identity as a hub for cultural exchange, creativity, and community connection.

Partners:

• Telluride Arts: Curatorial leadership, exhibition hosting, community outreach, and press engagement

• Steeprock Joinery: Residency facilities, technical expertise, and production support

Project Brief: Global Artist Book Development — Rachel Vancelette x Snap Collective

Project Overview
Rachel Vancelette, in collaboration with Snap Collective, has developed and executed a strategic publishing that empowers contemporary artists worldwide to produce, publish, and distribute high-quality art books. Leveraging her curatorial expertise and deep network in the global art market, Rachel provides artists — from established blue-chip names to rising talents — with the opportunity to transform their creative vision into lasting print publications as a seasoned editor, contributor and curator. 

Core Mission
To give top-tier and emerging contemporary artists access to world-class book development, sponsorship opportunities, and strategic distribution, ensuring their work reaches global audiences while preserving their artistic legacy in collectible form.

Rachel’s Role & Contributions

• Curatorial Oversight: Guides concept development, visual narrative, and content curation to ensure artist’s practice and market positioning.

• Sponsorship Facilitation: Snap Collective partnerships and funding support  cover production costs, enabling artists to produce books at the highest quality without financial compromise.

• Artist Advocacy: Champions artists’ creative autonomy while connecting them to a broader ecosystem of collectors, galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.

• Global Network Activation: Leverage relationships with publishers, printers, media, and distribution channels to maximize each book’s reach and visibility.

• Production Management: Snap Collective and VGAA Corp oversees timelines, budgets, and creative direction, ensuring a seamless process from concept to final print. VGAA Corp providing artist selections on a case to case basis. (Ongoing) 

Historical Publishing Expertise
Rachel’s work with Snap Collective builds upon her earlier experience directing and supporting publishing efforts during her tenure at Yvon Lambert Gallery. In that role, she collaborated with top designers, publishers, and internationally renowned artists to execute significant artist books, including projects with Kay Rosen, Richard Jackson, and other leading contemporary voices. This background honed her ability to merge curatorial vision with design excellence, ensuring each publication achieved both critical and market success.

Early Foundations in the Printing World
Rachel’s deep connection to publishing and print began in her childhood. Her father was a respected professional in the printing industry, and she grew up surrounded by the craft and technology of fine printing. Attending Drupa, the world’s largest printing equipment and technology exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, from a young age, she gained early insight into the global publishing ecosystem, state-of-the-art printing techniques, and the evolving relationship between art, design, and print production. This early immersion provided a unique foundation for her later career in art publishing.

Impact & Achievements

• International Reach: Books distributed to collectors, galleries, art fairs, and cultural institutions across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

• Artist Legacy Building: Provided artists with archival-quality publications that solidify their position in the contemporary art historical record.

• Economic & Creative Support: Enabled artists to realize publishing projects that may otherwise have been financially inaccessible, through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

• Market Visibility: Elevated artist profiles through targeted marketing campaigns, book launches, and exhibition tie-ins.

• 

Outcomes

• Produced acclaimed publications for artists represented in top galleries and museum collections.

• Fostered long-term collaborations between artists, cultural sponsors, and the publishing industry.

• Positioned artist books as not just documentation, but as collectible artworks in their own right.

Project Brief: Tales of Color — Takuma Tanaka

September 4–10, 2023 | Salmagundi Club, New York City

Curated by Rachel Vancelette during New York’s Armory Week, Tales of Color marked the U.S. debut of Tokyo-based artist Takuma Tanaka. Presented in the historic Thomas Moran Gallery at the Salmagundi Club, the exhibition showcased a focused selection of small paintings and works on paper, weaving Japanese heritage with contemporary narrative.

The strategic multi-platform approach — combining the gallery presentation with pop-up activations and targeted collaborations. Partnerships with select liquor brands and baked goods such as Flip Flip Marquis expanded the audience beyond the traditional art world, creating opportunities for collectors, press, and cultural influencers to experience the work in both formal and lifestyle-driven contexts.

The weeklong program featured a public reception, artist meet-and-greet, and media previews, generating strong press engagement. Coverage praised Tanaka’s distinctive visual language, with several outlets referring to him as “the Basquiat of Japan”, elevating his visibility among collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts during one of the city’s most high-profile cultural moments. 

News Brief: Click Here

One-Night Art × Fashion Pop-Up — Salmagundi Club, NYC

Curated by Rachel Vancelette, this one-night-only event brought together fine art, fashion, and sculpture inside the historic Salmagundi library. Presented in support of Nurture the Future: Art & Well-Being, the pop-up coincided with Tales of Color, a solo exhibition by Japanese artist Takuma Tanaka.

The evening featured Tanaka’s vibrant works alongside wearable art by Mark Enger, Michael Angelo, and Kora Mancini, plus a striking sculpture by Matias Di Carlo. Blending the Club’s storied heritage with contemporary creativity, the event offered an immersive cultural experience that celebrated art’s power to inspire, connect, and heal.

News Brief on FOX 40 News: Click Here

"We are on the verge of an important cultural shift in which art can deliver accessible solutions to well-being. This group of creatives reminds us 'art' has the power to continue to transform us.”

Project Brief – Odyssée

May  2024 · Neptune Gallery, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France ·

Odyssée: A Landmark Exhibition Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
May 2024 · Neptune Gallery, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, May 2024 — To mark the 120th anniversary of the City of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, curator Rachel D. Vancelette presented Odyssée, a two-person exhibition featuring artist Diane Detalle and actor-artist Billy Zane. Hosted in the historic Neptune Gallery, the exhibition transformed the space into a New York–styled gallery, bridging the cultural energy of Manhattan with the elegance of the French Riviera.

Highlights

• Partnership with the Mayor and City of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to celebrate the town’s 120th anniversary.

• Transformation of Neptune Gallery into a contemporary New York–styled space, a first for the historic venue.

• Royal presence: The Prince of Monaco visited Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat during the celebrations, shaking hands with curator Rachel Vancelette and artist Diane Detalle.

• Two celebrated artists: Diane Detalle’s gestural abstractions in dialogue with Billy Zane’s cinematic, textured works.

• Dynamic public programming: live painting, artist talks, private previews, and community engagement.

• A cultural highlight of the Riviera season, uniting art, history, and international dialogue.

Curatorial Vision

“As a curator, I aim to guide viewers through an immersive experience, where creativity takes center stage as a source of inspiration. The exhibition encourages contemplation and honors the historical celebration of the city of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.” — Rachel Vancelette

Odyssée was more than an exhibition; it was a celebration of heritage and artistic exchange—where the timeless shores of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat met the innovative spirit of New York.

New Brief: Click Here

THE PUBLICATION: Click Here

 

 

TV Episode: In the Pursuit of Art x Fashion x Technology Episode 8: Click Here

 

Exhibitions

Proposals

Branding

Sponsors

Design Development

Website Design

 

Legacy Through the Lens – Exhibition Proposal

Curated and Developed by Rachel Vancelette

Legacy Through the Lens 

LRTL is a global touring exhibition proposal curated by Rachel Vancelette, celebrating over four decades of work by renowned photographer Michel Haddi. Designed as a career retrospective, the project highlights Haddi’s iconic contributions to fashion, celebrity portraiture, and cultural storytelling across continents.

The proposal, developed for sponsorship consideration explores the intersection of identity, technology, and visual legacy. Drawing from Haddi’s archives—including never-before-seen images, Polaroids, and editorial works—the exhibition is designed to tour major U.S. cities and beyond, accompanied by education and community programming.

Vancelette led the full curatorial concept, content development, and visual design, aligning the project with themes of cultural diplomacy, innovation, and intergenerational dialogue. 

 More Client Examples: By Request / Under Private Domain