KiptonART.com is a web gallery distinguished by its real-world web of contacts in art, media, finance, academia and high society.  Founded five years ago by Kipton Cronkite, a young Manhattan entrepreneur, KiptonART.com ‘is inspired by the desire to help young artists in film, music, fine art and photography by displaying their work online and introducing them to collectors, gallery owners and influential people in the art world.’

A quintessentially New York phenomenon, KiptonART had its origin in the catastrophe that shaped the city’s 21st-century consciousness.  Kipton was living in the financial district of New York only a few blocks from the Twin Towers on the clear autumn morning of 9/11.  The experience had a profound impact, making him examine his life and question what he was doing with his talents.  A visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art crystallized his desire to find a professional direction more in keeping with his passion.  He developed the concept of an online gallery to promote the work of emerging artists.  At first he worked on KiptonART in parallel to his career in finance but it quickly became an over-riding passion and a full-time occupation.

Presenting Rising artists at elegant venues

KiptonART has a strong interest in photography and a well-earned reputation of helping young photographers launch promising careers.  Anyone, at any level, can put their work up on the site, gain exposure and participate in a variety of programs simply by paying a $75 membership fee.  A talented few, however, qualify for the full, red-carpet, Kipton treatment.  Each year, a board of distinguished curators selects six Rising stars from all the gallery members.  In 2009, four of the six Rising artists were photographers.  

‘During the year following the announcement of the Rising winners, KiptonART devotes time, energy and resources to enhance their visibility and facilitate introductions into the art world.  The 2009 winners were given multiple opportunities of exposure including the debut event at SAKS Fifth Avenue, New York, an exclusive opportunity at Longchamp in Soho, and a solo exhibition at the James Salomon Gallery in Chelsea.’  

As the elegant venues suggest, these exhibitions are not just for starving artists.  New York’s elite likes to be seen while viewing Kipton’s Rising stars.  KiptonART’s most recent event for the 2009 winners was called Fine Future Perfect and hosted in cooperation with the New York City Ballet.  

According to Whitewall Contemporary Art Magazine, ‘What better way to celebrate the site’s five-year anniversary than with the Fine Future Perfect exhibition. The theme is the use of multi-media and photography to express the imminent though hazy future. The artists’ works will be displayed at 75 Wall Street, a prime location for New York’s financial community to peruse and/or acquire the artworks.  Performance art and music also had its share of the glory as the New York City Ballet drummed up support for its own celebration this week, the Dance with the Dancers Benefit.’

Rising Awards, 2011

As of this writing, KiptonART was building up to the October 5th announcement of the 20 finalists in 2011 Rising competition.  Produced with typical Kipton flair, the celebration will take place at the Cohen Decoration and Design Building, New York’s premier center for art and interior design.  Works of the 20 finalists will be on display for a month.  Six winners chosen from the 20 finalists and will then be exhibited around the country at the other three Cohen Design Centers in Dania Beach, West Hollywood and Houston.   Kipton makes a special effort to reach out to the design industry because designers have major influence on the art-buying habits of corporate and individual collectors. 

The respect is mutual since the design community recognizes the role of original art in elevating the tone of working and living environments.  ‘We at the D&D Building recognize the synergy between art and design and are pleased to be collaborating with the KiptonART Foundation,' says Bobby Contini, Vice President of Marketing for the Cohen Design Centers.  'The Rising announcement at the Andrew Martin Showroom of the D&D is the first of over 40 events, programs and workshops scheduled at the building for the Annual Fall Market.'

The list of sponsors and attendees leaves no doubt that the October 5th announcement of the new Rising winners will be a sparkling affair.  Chandon Champagne is among the sponsors, as is Belvedere Vodka. His Royal Highness, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia will be in attendance, as will Nicole and Matthew Mellon, and Gillian Hearst Simonds.  [Soft Break] 

Young but far from unaccomplished

Kipton believes that photography is strongly relevant in today’s art world.  He enjoys close relations with emerging and world-famous photographers and personally collects both still and video work.  Several of the photographers he collects were originally Rising Artists, including Bon Duke and Jade Doskow.  

Doskow was one of the Rising Artists of 2009.  Like many of her Rising peers, Doskow is young but far from unaccomplished.  She has an MFA in Visual Arts, has received numerous honors in the U.S. and abroad, and has been featured in top photo magazines, including Photo district News.  She is now working on a book of images showing the architectural remains of former World’s Fair sites.  ‘She creates landscapes and interiors that are elegant and beautiful,’ says Kipton.  ‘Objects often appear in isolation, separated from their ordinary context to create otherworldly images of our everyday world.’

Avery McCarthy was a winner of the 2010 Rising competition.  He had never sold a work before his selection and has sold over 10 in the year since receiving the honor.  With a BFA from the Photography program at the School of Visual Arts, McCarthy creates work about the underlying relationships, structures, and forms in our world. His work often incorporates opposing dualities: big and small, analog and digital, philosophical and instinctual. 

KiptonART is currently showcasing prominent artist Alistair Morrison at its 75 Wall street Gallery.  One of the most celebrated portrait photographers of his generation, with over 80 photographs in Britain’s National Portrait Gallery, the London-based Morrison hardly needs help launching his career.  But KiptonART can provide a stylish booster even for an artist on his level.  In late September, Kipton hosted a viewing of Morrison’s Country Nudes and Celebrity Portraits.  The nude series celebrates the female form within nature and creates ‘a surreal and graphic depiction of Countryside activities.’  Collectors in Britain have already taken notice.  Given Kipton’s ability to assemble the right kind of people for a cocktail reception with the artist at a chic Wall Street location, it’s safe to expect that momentum to continue in New York.