Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Westendorf Lauren Kelp
Hi Leslie Westendorf, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We are Lauren and Leslie, two art lovers, advocates, and curators. We met through a mutual friend in summer 2024 and after our first coffee date, we shook hands and began creating the art gallery we had each been searching for but hadn’t yet found. Midnight Gallery was born.
Cincinnati is where we call home and we adore this heart of Ohio. The creative tide here is shifting and growing and we’re excited to be part of it. Plus, we think the midwest has a thriving arts scene and we want to shout it from the rooftops!
Over the last several months we have hosted gallery pop-up events in private homes, retail spaces, and artist studios. Our initial collection of artwork sold out within weeks. This year, we will add 15-20 artists to our incredible roster and continue to find innovative ways to bring original art to buyers and collectors.
With a combined 30+ years of professional experience in art, design, and storytelling—as both business owners and consultants—we have the passion, drive, and wherewithal to build something truly unique for our community, the greater midwest region, and beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lauren and I work very hard. Within two months of our first meeting we launched a brand, a website, and gathered art from over a dozen artists (hailing from Maine to Los Angeles to London). We’re really proud of the collection we’ve curated and we’ve received incredibly positive feedback from our supporters. That said, we’re entering the growth phase of our business where we need to cultivate a new audience of buyers and collectors. That can sometimes feel like shouting into a void. We pride ourselves on being high touch and providing excellent customer service so we’re leaning into the time it takes to nurture client relationships.
We’ve been impressed with Midnight Gallery , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Midnight Gallery showcases exceptional art from emerging and established contemporary artists to create an art-buying experience that is accessible, fun, and unparalleled in customer service. We want to foster connections between artists and buyers and encourage our clients to invest in art that makes them happy.
One of people’s biggest barriers to buying art is simply coming to galleries. They can be intimidating! Especially for first-time art buyers. So we thought, why not bring art to people instead? Our first few pop-ups were in people’s homes. We immediately noticed that people felt more comfortable, they could envision the art in their own spaces, and conversations were taking place that wouldn’t occur in a traditional gallery. We want to create a community that embraces artful living in ways that feel authentic and where all are welcome.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
People wanted to find ways to love their homes during Covid. For some that meant rearranging furniture. For others it meant thinking about a future renovation or simply buying a beautiful piece of art to hang above their work-from-home desk. We want to be part of peoples’ journeys to love the spaces they’re in. We encourage our buyers to purchase a piece of art they love and not the piece society tells them they should like. Life is too short to buy art you don’t love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://midnightartgallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midnight___gallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565340977522
