Open Invitational
An exhilarating new art fair celebrates artists with disabilities
Do not miss Open Invitational, an exhilarating new art fair dedicated to the work of artists with disabilities and the progressive studios that support them.
Open Invitational was founded by gallerist David Fierman and arts patron Ross McCalla (The Outsider Institute). The fair launched last December during Art Basel Miami with 11 studios from across the country.
The mission of the fair is to help artists build their careers while "dismantling outmoded hierarchies in the contemporary art world." The fair promotes the artists and their studios, introducing them to new audiences, collectors, and art institutions. "I want to use my platform to put all of this work on display for the art world to see and for the general public to see," says Fierman. "I want these artists to be in bigger galleries... The work already speaks for itself." Fierman opened Fierman gallery in Manhattan's Chinatown in 2016 and this past July debuted Open Studio, a gallery dedicated to exhibiting artists with disabilities.
Fierman has collaborated with artists at The Living Museum, an art studio that works with patients of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens, NYC's largest state psychiatric care center. Fierman grew "more and more engaged" in the studio's work with artists with developmental disabilities and began brainstorming with McCalla to bring Open Invitational to Miami in 2024.
The New York edition showcases work by artists from nine studios: Artech Collective (NYC), Center for Creative Works (Philadelphia), Community Access Art Collective (NYC), Creative Growth (Oakland), Creativity Explored (San Francisco), Land Studio & Gallery (Brooklyn), The Living Museum (Queens), Progressive Art Studio Collective (Detroit), and Studio Route 29 (Frenchtown, NJ).
The works on view at the Tribeca venue range from drawing, painting, sculpture, textile art, and more. Standouts include charming sculptures in wood, cardboard, and sparkles by Donald Mitchell, Paulino Martin, Robert Latchman, and Roman Serrano; plush tufted pieces by Ania Lattie and Peter Salsman; vibrantly patterned abstracts by Robert Duncombe and Samantha Mathews; chic portraits by Diana Zelnick; and densely populated compositions by Andrew Li.
Fierman says the artwork proves "that there really is not much of a difference in who makes the work. If it's an artist with a disability or an artist without a disability." He enjoys introducing visitors to new artists and their work. "People are just hungry for something authentic and that feels good.”
The fair will return to Miami in December and will partner with Creativity Explored in Creativity Explored x Open Invitational for San Francisco Art Week in January. Fierman is also in talks with a non-profit organization to bring the fair to Basel, Switzerland.
"Everybody is so completely devoted to building this cause because it's such an incredible way for folks to be seen and have their lives improved, just by showing their art and being seen as human," Fierman says of the fair's rapid growth. "We're all here for each other in a way I've never felt before in the art world."
Amy Sharp, Director of Community Access Art Collective agrees, adding, "We are artists in community with each other." She stresses the importance of openness and recognizing artists with disabilities. "We all benefit from their experiences and their vision," she says. "I don't want to have this idea of who's inside, who's outside, who's a professional artist..." Fierman adds. "I want everyone to just be an artist."
Open Invitational
356 Broadway, Ground Floor, NYC
September 4-7, 2025
Thu. 11am-7pm
Fri. 12pm-8pm
Sat. 12pm-7pm
Sun. 12pm-5pm