Salon 21 believes good art belongs in everyday life.
Salon 21 celebrates the intersection between art, design, and community. Between our art advising, design, and curatorial services, we transform spaces to feel like a home rather than a white cube.
About Us
Salon 21 is an art advisory and interior design studio specializing in emerging talent and the next generation of collectors. Inspired by Gertrude Stein's legendary Parisian apartment, we carry forward the spirit of the historic salon, bringing spaces for conversation, discovery, and community into the 21st century. Moving away from the traditional white-cube model, we transform spaces to feel like a home, offering a fresh, hands-on approach to building collections and designing spaces that feel fresh yet timeless.
Our art advisory practice helps clients integrate art into their lives, through acquisition, collection development, and bespoke curation for residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail environments. Our interior design services provide comprehensive plans for both private and commercial projects internationally, producing layered, art-forward spaces.
At the core of Salon 21 is a commitment to emerging artists. We collaborate with today's most influential creative voices to present original works, providing collectors with first, direct access to local, national, and international talent, making contemporary art more accessible while nurturing New York's flourishing artist ecosystem.
Salon 21 fosters connection through curated programming and a membership community that breaks down the barriers between artist and patron. Our community can expect a revolving calendar of artist talks, panel discussions, brand collaborations, and curated social occasions. Exclusively for Patrons, our membership program offers unique experiences that deepen connection to the art world and to each other.
Salon 21 is where culture, community, and contemporary design converge, where you can experience, collect, and engage with the ideas shaping art today.
Why Salon 21?
Expert, academically grounded guidance
Led by Bass’s art-historical expertise and over 10 years of art world experience.
Unparalleled access to emerging talent
Through relationships with top-tier galleries and direct collaborations with rising artists.
Curated releases of original works under $10,000
Offering a more accessible entry point into collecting, while supporting the growth of artists locally and internationally. Of course, we pride ourselves in working at all market tiers.
Meaningful in-person touchpoints
Regular physical gatherings, such as studio visits, intimate previews, pop-ups, and community-driven events that create direct connection between artists, collectors, and the Salon 21 community.
A holistic approach to art and design
From art advising and acquisition to full-scale interior design for private clients, developers, hotels, offices, restaurants, and retail projects, Salon 21 serves as a comprehensive destination for all art and design needs.
Working with Salon 21 means not just hiring us for a one-off project, but joining a community rooted in curiosity, cultural engagement, and the belief that art and design should be both accessible and transformative.
About the Founder
Salon 21 offers collectors unprecedented access to emerging contemporary artists through a highly curated, deeply informed lens. At the helm is Alex Bass, founder and CEO, whose background includes degrees from Columbia University and the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and a decade of experience working within major auction houses and blue-chip galleries in New York. Known for her encyclopedic knowledge of art history and exceptional eye for new talent, Bass has helped jumpstart the careers of numerous emerging artists.