Blair Clarke founded Voltz Clarke in 2002 and saw immediate success with the pop up formula as executed with her first exhibition, Kaleidoscope at Ingrao, an historical townhouse in uptown Manhattan. Clarke placed contemporary works by then unknown British painter Natasha Law and four additional emerging artists which began her signature curatorial gesture of presenting emerging talent to eclectic audiences, in unexpected venues.
It was a natural progression to open a flagship gallery to be opened after over a dozen years of private art advisory. Voltz Clarke Gallery held its first exhibition in the fall of 2015 and has continued with rigorous programming ever since.
In Clarke’s own words, the Columbus, Georgia native has “worn many hats” in the art world, holding positions as Director of Galerie Timothy Tew in Atlanta, Georgia and Exhibition Manager at Sanford Smith & Associates in Manhattan. “Perhaps it is her unique combination of southern charm and NYC savvy that has led to Blair’s success,” comments collector Beth DeWoody. “She excels at connecting artistic ideas and people that wouldn’t have otherwise come together. It’s terrific she now has a permanent space in Manhattan to call home.”
Blair Clarke is a member of Art Table, Young Collectors of the Guggenheim and sits on the board of the Lamar Dodd School of Art at her alma mater, The University of Georgia. She volunteers her free time with various non-profit arts organizations in addition to gallery hopping with her daughters Poppy and Georgina alongside her husband, Alistair Clarke.
Alistair Clarke, former Senior Vice President and Worldwide Head of English & European Furniture for Sotheby’s, joined Voltz Clarke Gallery where he remains active in this field advising clients and maintaining an inventory of top quality pieces.
Before stepping down from over two decades in the auction world, Clarke oversaw Sotheby’s highly skilled team of European and English furniture experts in the New York, Paris, and London offices. Prior to joining Sotheby’s, he directed Christie’s furniture departments in London and Paris. Over the past 25 years, Clarke has played a key role in most of the greatest collections that have appeared at auction, including those of Hubert de Givenchy, Akram Ojjeh, Karl Lagerfeld, Martin Alexander, Djahanguir Riahi, Lily and Edmond J. Safra, and Ariane Dandois. During this time, he was responsible for the two highest sale totals ever achieved for French furniture.
Alistair Clarke has a personal knowledge of most of the best public and private collections, and serves as a consultant to many of today’s top buyers.
Gabrielle Poteet grew up in Chattanooga, TN and moved to New York City in 2022 to grow her experience in the art world and knowledge of a gallery environment. Poteet graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing. Prior to Voltz Clarke Gallery, Gabrielle worked as a teaching assistant for prolific artist Joseph Norman, is an active muralist, and is an artist herself. When not in the gallery, she enjoys museum hopping, exploring the city, and attending new openings.