DELRAY BEACH — Strolling in to the Posh Art Gallery in the Delray Marketplace in west Delray Beach, one is not sure where to look first. The initial impression is a cacophony of color. Filled with whimsical and vibrant objets d’art, the gallery founded by Kimberly Perry celebrated its two-year anniversary in June.
Opened during the COVID-19 pandemic with a mission to provide a safe space for artists to display their work, Perry and her husband, Scott Perry (general manager of The New York Knicks), represent approximately 55 emerging local, national and international artists.
“We need somewhere to showcase our work, especially emerging artists,” says Kimberly Perry, herself a glass mosaic artist, who took a risk by opening mid-pandemic in 2021 and not in the city’s art corridor.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our two-year anniversary in Delray Beach and to have achieved a significant milestone in the art world,” says the Michigan-born Perry. “We’ve come a long way and have become a place for artists to meet and display their work, and we are happy to have created a community that supports them during these challenging times,” she says.
From an artistic family — her father, DeVon Cunningham, is a portrait artist whose work is displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. — Perry knew from the age of 5 that she wanted to be an artist.
Although she says people tried to dissuade her from opening so far west, Perry says, “In my heart, I felt it was the right decision,” and time has proven her right. Last year she sold $1 million worth of art and hopes to do more this year.
In close proximity to newly built affluent communities such as The Seven Bridges and Lotus, Perry works with interior designers and residents looking to buy art to enhance their homes. She offers artwork on spec, so people can try out the work in their living space.
The 4,000-sq.-ft. gallery features a variety of art encompassing all price points, but Perry says the “sweet-spot” is in the $2,000–$5,000 price range.
Artist and gallery manager Michele Cancro has been with the gallery since it opened.
“Staff and artists are blessed to be included in Kimberly’s vision,” Cancro says. “We have a variety of contemporary artists and a staff that is educated and professional.”
“The first thing people say when they walk into the gallery is ‘wow.’ The positive energy carries throughout the whole gallery. I think that says it all,” she says.
Artwork includes the colorful and vibrant, geometric, multi-dimensional wall sculptures by Lenore Diamond Robins, mixed media abstracts by Boca Raton-based dermatologist Robyn Siperstein and Delray Beach’s Faye Rose’s brightly colored paintings.
Also on sale are a variety of hand-made jewelry, tchotchkes, Judaica and even handmade designer-inspired dog vests for $150, landscapes, photography, glass mosaics, blown glass bowls and sculptures, portraits, mixed media sculptures, home décor and handmade gift items.
Higher-end pieces include hand-blown glass art such as those by South Florida’s Laurie Ann Jacobson of LaLa Glass Design, or a life-size resin and painted tiger by Sarajevo-born artist Dragan Bogdan that sells for $40,000.
Bogdan, whose goal is to create “inspiring happy art,” got his start in Florida in 2014 where he was flipping and remodeling homes. After a hurricane, Bogdan used leftover tree trunks to create luxury tables for hotels and high-end clients.
The gallery also sells his whimsical “Yogi Naya” sculptures – colorful elephants on surfboards in a variety of colors, sizes and poses.
Perry believes in giving back to the community and hosts charity events at the gallery, donating a portion of the proceeds to nonprofits such as the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League and other organizations.
Future goals include consulting with corporations on color theory and design techniques to enhance the workplace or common areas.
“We love our clients and hope to continue growing and expanding,” says Perry.
Kathy Linden, a Boca Raton-based expressionist painter, who sells her colorful portraits at the gallery, says, “Kimberly has a wonderful sense of the market and of what people like. With artwork at different price points to appeal to the public at large, she’s made art affordable to everyone.”
“Kimberly is great at what she does and has created an inviting, non-intimidating space where people enjoy coming,” she says. “It’s a happy place to be.”
Posh Art Gallery is located in the Delray Marketplace, 9089 W. Atlantic Ave., and is open seven days a week: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.poshdesignstudio.net or call (561) 591-3680.