About Contessa Gallery

Founded in 1999, Contessa Gallery is a Fine Art Dealers Association Member (FADA) that offers artworks of exceedingly high quality as well as art acquisition counsel to collectors, museums and institutions. Contessa Gallery is driven by three main principles: passion, integrity and education. Coupled with a strong commitment to service and connoisseurship, Contessa Gallery has developed a notable local, national, and international following and a reputation for integrity and excellence.

While many galleries focus primarily upon artist representation and promotion, Contessa Gallery is collector-oriented. Our mission is to assist clients in developing collections that have deep personal meaning. Contessa Gallery encourages its clients to view their collections as a legacy to be passed down through generations of family or to museums.

The gallery continues to expand its clientele and reputation through its participation in art fairs such as The Armory Show – Modern, and Art Miami. At the philanthropic level, Contessa Gallery seeks to make a difference in the community through the contribution of time, expertise, sponsorship and educational programming for museums and arts organizations.

OWNERS' PROFILE

Steven Hartman is the owner and founder of Contessa Gallery with permanent gallery locations in Palm Beach, FL, Southampton, NY and Cleveland, OH. Contessa Gallery continues to build its highly-respected profile through curating important exhibitions and participating in prestigious art fairs. With an impressive collection coupled with a strong commitment to education and connoisseurship, Contessa Gallery has acquired a notable local, national, and international following.

Mr. Hartman began collecting art at the age of twenty, and after a successful career as an investment advisor and Vice-President of UBS / PaineWebber, he opened Contessa Gallery to fulfill his passion of becoming a fine art dealer. Mr. Hartman is the President of the Board of Directors for the Fine Art Dealers Association (FADA), has won several art industry awards, and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of Art World News magazine.

Mr. Hartman has served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations and privately held companies. He is a University of Michigan graduate, a recipient of the prestigious “40 under 40” award by Crain’s Cleveland Business, was inducted into the Orange High School Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of the Wexner Leadership Development Program.

Mr. Hartman and Contessa Gallery were also the presenting sponsor of the Louise Bourgeois Spiders sculptures in Cleveland. He is an avid collector and is fueled by his passion for art. He routinely collaborates with many museums, institutions, and top collectors in terms of acquisitions. 

Karen Tscherne is the co-owner and co-founder of Contessa Gallery. She has led a very interesting life. From an early age she went to live and study art in Europe. This led to her early independence, cultural sophistication, and multilingual skills.

After a highly successful career as an award winning executive in the luxury brand industry, she co- founded Contessa Gallery. Ms. Tscherne is a Case Western Reserve University graduate. She has traveled extensively, and is an avid art collector.

Contessa Gallery strives to serve the community with its philanthropic efforts.

Major support has been given to the following institutions:

Cleveland Public Art:

• Primary donor and presenting sponsor of the public exhibition Spiders by Louise Bourgeois, Cleveland Theater District, Star Plaza, Summer 2002

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA):

• Exclusive Sponsor of POPulence, Fall 2005
• Supporting Sponsor for the collaboration of Cleveland Museum of Art and MOCA: The Persistence of Geometry: Form, Content and Culture in the Collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Summer 2006
• Platino Level Supporting Sponsor of “La Vida MOCA!”, Annual Benefit Gala, honoring Toby Devan Lewis, 2006
• Exclusive Sponsor for the collaboration of Cleveland Museum of Art and MOCA: Richard Stankiewicz and John Chamberlain, Winter/Spring 2007
• Guilty Love Level Supporting Sponsor of the Annual Benefit Gala, honoring Marjorie Talalay, 2007
• Supporting Sponsor of The Business of Art Educational Panel, 2007
• Campaign LEEDers gift supporting the new building and its environmental sustainability

Akron Art Museum:

• Sponsor of the Public Symposium “Up Close and Personal with Chuck Close’s Friends” hosted by the Akron Art Museum in conjunction with the exhibition “Familiar Faces: Chuck Close in Ohio Collections”, October 11, 2009.
• Exclusive Sponsor of the Lenders and Sponsors Brunch preceding the Public Symposium, October 2009.
• Exclusive Sponsor of the new Akron Art Museum’s Major Donor Reception, July 11, 2007
• A key sponsor of the Akron Art Museum’s Defy Gravity opening gala, July 7, 2007
• Exclusive sponsor of the program booklet for the new Akron Art Museum’s Defy Gravity opening gala, July 7, 2007

The Human Fund:

• Sponsor and curator of The Silent Auction Art Benefit at The pARTy, a benefit to help save art programs that touch kids in the City of Cleveland, 2005
• Sponsor of the Art Auction at L’Art du Vin, a Wine and Art Auction to benefit The Human Fund
• Major donor to the Human Fund

Playhouse Square Foundation:

• Gold Founder Patron Level Donor to the second largest performing arts complex in the United States

Additional Support Given To:

• The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
• The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
• Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, Ohio
• The Cleveland Institute of Art
• Intermuseum Conservation Association
• Sculpture Center, Cleveland, Ohio
• The Cleveland Orchestra
• Verb Ballets, Cleveland, Ohio

LOCATIONS

CLEVELAND GALLERY
24667 CEDAR ROAD
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44124
(216) 956-2825
info@contessagallery.com

HOURS
MONDAY - SATURDAY | 11AM - 7PM
SUNDAYS | 12PM - 6PM

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PALM BEACH GALLERY
216 SUNSET AVENUE
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33480
(216) 956-2825
info@contessagallery.com

HOURS
MONDAY - SATURDAY | 11AM - 7PM
SUNDAYS | BY APPOINTMENT