Photo by Aviva Poplawsky
Alya Poplawsky
Founder & Director
Alya Poplawsky has a comprehensive background in both the academic and commercial aspects of the art world. With over 15 years of experience, she works with private and corporate clients, museums, and institutions to develop unique art programs and collections.
Her art education includes an MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art (New York City) and the University of Manchester (London), having written an award-winning dissertation on Latin American art in the US (“From Museum to Market”). She holds a BA from Rollins College (Winter Park, Florida) in Latin American and Caribbean Studies with minors in Art History and Spanish, and completed studies in art conservation and art history at Trinity College (Rome), studying with one of the lead conservators at the Vatican.
While living in New York City, Poplawsky worked with artists and collectors as an art consultant and advisor. Her hands-on involvement also includes four years of museum experience, the latest as Curator of Education and Special Projects at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum (now known as the Rollins Museum of Art in Winter Park, Florida) — the youngest curator in the museum’s history. In addition, she brings an international perspective to the marketplace, and is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Italian.
Alya focuses on fostering ties with prospects and clients in the market for modern, contemporary, or emerging art, and educating them and the larger community on collecting philosophies, the acquisition process, and investment strategy. Additionally, she curates innovative art experiences including exhibitions, events, and benefits.
She maintains a highly active role in scouting the art market by attending art fairs, gallery shows, museum exhibitions, auctions, and major market events. Alya tracks market and cultural trends in art, and interacts with key figures in the art world, all in order to serve clients’ interests and needs.
Alya Poplawsky is frequently asked to share her expertise by speaking on panels, giving lectures, contributing to arts publications, and serving as a juror and judge evaluating artworks for exhibitions.
