A new beginning: Ukrainian gallerists launch art gallery in Miami’s Allapattah
Almost two years ago, Max and Julia Voloshyn didn’t know what the future held for them, their toddler and their gallery in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The couple, who own Voloshyn Gallery, happened to be in Miami when Russia invaded their home country. Their gallery became a bomb shelter. And they continued to support their artists best they could from over 5,600 miles away. Since then, the young family has found a new home in more ways then one.
On Saturday, Voloshyn Gallery’s permanent Miami location opens in Allapattah on NW 22nd Street. The gallery is celebrating with an opening event and a new exhibition starting at 6 p.m. The space is one of Miami’s first eastern European galleries.
“It happened naturally,” Julia said. “It just happened.”
Voloshyn Gallery is the latest art space to open in the up-and-coming industrial neighborhood of Allapattah, which is just west of already gentrified Wynwood. The Rubell Museum and Superblue, which are right across the street from each other, have been instrumental in introducing art lovers to the area. Just last month, Marquez Art Projects opened its doors to the public. And on Saturday, gallerist Andrew Reed is celebrating his gallery opening right next door to Voloshyn Gallery.
Reed, who moved back to his hometown of Miami after a stint in New York City, said he looks forward to operating a gallery in an emerging arts hub with the Voloshyns as his neighbors. He noted how rare it is for there to be a handful of art galleries on the same half block in a spread-out city like Miami.
“What I’m trying to do, and I think Julia and Max can speak to it too, is that I’m trying to bring art that really isn’t shown in Miami to Miami,” Reed said, speaking over whirring power tools. “It’s wonderful. It’s nice to have this collaborative spirit.”
Mindy Solomon, who also owns a gallery on the same Allapattah street, referred Max and Julia to the building’s owner when she heard that they were looking for a permanent location. She said she’s been a fan of Voloshyn Gallery’s program for years and is “thrilled to be their neighbor.” This year, Solomon celebrates her gallery’s 10th anniversary in Miami.
“I came here after 4 years in St. Petersburg, Florida in search of community,” Solomon wrote in an email. “Initially, it took a bit of time to fit in. I have tried to make it easier for others. What I see now is vibrancy, enthusiasm and a desire to be recognized as a meaningful part of the contemporary art world.”
While they plan to primarily showcase Ukrainian artists, Voloshyn Gallery aims to be a space that brings artists from around the world together.
“We want to have the dialogue between eastern Europe, Ukraine, America and Latin America,” Max said. “And Miami is just right place for this dialogue.”
A full circle moment
Max and Julia’s journey as gallerists began in Ukraine. As college students, they opened a classical Ukrainian art gallery and ran it for 10 years. In 2016, they opened Voloshyn Gallery, a contemporary art gallery, near Kyiv’s cultural center.
Late 2021, like many international gallery owners, Max and Julia were in Miami to participate in contemporary art fairs and opened a pop-up art exhibition in Allapattah. But the family got sick with COVID-19, delaying their plans to fly back home. Their plans were delayed indefinitely when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 23, 2022. Since then, Max and Julia have supported their artists abroad as best they can. They’ve been busy traveling to art fairs, organizing exhibitions and raising awareness for their country. But they needed another home base.
It took the Voloshyns about a year to find the right space for them. They had been thinking about opening a location in the United States for a while, and had been heavily considering New York City, the country’s de facto art capital. But finding a decently sized and priced location in New York was virtually impossible, they said.
Miami made sense, Julia said. The couple has found a supportive community of friends and colleagues here along with local gallerists who encouraged them to stay. And their daughter, 3-year-old Daniella, prefers Miami, too. At this point, she has spent more of her life in Miami than in Kyiv, Max said.
Before making the final decision, they asked Daniella for her input.
“She said, ‘We can fly to New York and back, but our home is here,’” Max recalled.
Art reflecting on war
A couple days before the opening, the couple beamed as they walked around the still empty, 1,400-square-foot gallery space.
“I’m very happy with the space,” Julia said.
Sunlight poured in from small windows on the ceiling as workers rushed in and out with ladders and tools. Some renovations and preparations had to be made before they could put up the art for their inaugural exhibition, called “No Grey Zones.”
“No Grey Zones” is a nuanced reflection on war, conflict and the complicated ways the aftermath impacts people, Max and Julia said. The works critique and question the geopolitical powers that be while paying homage to the everyday people caught in the middle. The show features artists Lesia Khomenko, Nikita Kadan, Oleksiy Sai and Mykola Ridnyi from Ukraine; Israeli-born and New York-based artist Dana Levy; Bojan Stojčić from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Adam Albert from Hungary; and London-born artist K. Yoland. Julia co-curated the show along with Lilia Kudelia and Maksym.
“This will not be just beautiful paintings,” Julia said. “This shows what is happening in our country, and it’s not so easy to see sometimes. The artists which were selected for this show have experienced war before.”
Max stressed that the Ukrainian people still need support and recognition from other countries. The couple hopes that their Miami gallery’s first show will raise awareness not just for the plight of their people, but victims of war and conflict around the world.
“Hopefully, we will have victory. We will win this war,” Max said. “Ukraine is defending democracy, defending our country, defending our people.”
While they’re happy in Miami for now, Max and Julia long to return to Ukraine, where their parents still live. As the war continues, Julia said, they have to be patient and hope for the best.
“Our hearts remain connected to our homeland,” she said.
“No Grey Zones” opening reception
Where: Voloshyn Gallery Miami; 802 NW 22nd Street
When: Oct. 7, 6 - 9 p.m.
Info: Normal gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Exhibition on view until Nov. 25. https://voloshyngallery.art
