Today we’d like to introduce you to Viviana Elinger.
Viviana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Toi Art Gallery was born as a conversation between my friend and now business partner Karina Miller and I. We are both originally from Argentina but have been living in California for almost 20 years. My background is sociology but when I moved to the States I decided I wanted to explore a more creative field. That lead me to work for several years at National Geographic Channel until I had my first kid, After that, some years went by brewing ideas in my mind to create something meaningful.
Karina and I were vacationing in Mexico and exchanging ideas about beautiful things and how to incorporate beauty into our lives and that’s how Toi was born. We wanted to create a community of people that share a similar sensibility, the love for art and to instill the idea that art can be treasured forever and can also be accessible. At Toi Art Gallery we curate art from around the world and sell our artist’s works in limited edition and open edition prints.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road! There are many struggles along the way, especially when you have a very little budget to work with. There are so many companies out there that could potentially help you with marketing, SEO, design etc, but at the end of the day is important to be able to weed out what doesn’t help your business and focus and learn the things that will make it grow.
To me, that is one of the most challenges things I’ve encountered. I wish there’s a manual step by step on how to create a successful business, but there’s not. So all those things that make it hard and sometimes difficult, also become a great opportunity to learn and improve.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Toi Art Gallery – what should we know?
Since the beginning of Toi, I have been in charge of the website design along with many other duties, but curating new artist’s artwork is a big part of our job, which I love. The world is so accessible now, that finding new artists anywhere in the world has become easier, and when those artists want to be part of Toi, it is so rewarding!
I think my proudest moment is when I realized that Toi Gallery has a very defined aesthetics, that little by little it found its identity and style. Also, when I feel that Toi has become this community of people who love and enjoy art and the artists have become part of Toi family.
Toi stands out because we are not a big company, we are small and reachable. Toi is here to communicate with other people that share our vision and our sensibility. And we have a wonderful selection of amazing artists who tell stories through their art! That itself enriches our lives in a completely different way.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Honesty and love in what you do! When you are being able to transmit it, that itself is a success.
Pricing:
- Limited edition prints prices range from $80 to $300
- Open edition prints range from $25 to $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toiartgallery.com
- Phone: 213-324-1655
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @toiartgallery
- Facebook: @toigallery
Image Credit:
Evelyn Daviddi, Daniela Gallego, Joanna Concejo, Xuan Loc Xuan
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