Clementina | About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to uplift and empower our community by supporting
emerging artists’ careers from the studio-level to the museum-level,
both locally and internationally.

The Clementina Arts Foundation funds three crucial programs, with three distinct objectives:

To engage kids in contemporary art and creative dialogue with them through the Kid+Contemporary Program.

To grant studio space to emerging artists by partnering with landlords who have vacancies through the Sprouting Spaces Program.

To Support Museum Projects directly or through our established relationships.

Our Roots

Clementina was an off-shoot of the Alvarez Gallery, which since 2011 began solving emerging artists’ number one problem: space.

The Clementina Arts Foundation Today

2011

Launches Sprouting Spaces with first studio at 98 Bedford Street, Stamford.

2013

Opens 2nd Sprouting Spaces Studio at 100 Washington Street, Stamford.

2014

Hosts US Senator Richard Blumenthal at Sprouting Spaces Studio.

2015

Opens 3rd Sprouting Spaces Studio at 485 Summer Street, Stamford. Asked by Tate to helm the Tate Frieze Acquisition Fund.

2016

Formalizes Gallery’s community programs into Clementina Arts Foundation.

2017

Acquiring 501-c-3 Status.

2018/19

Opens 4th Sprouting Spaces Studio at Wilton River Park Shopping Center, Wilton. Launches FLAG+UP program.

2020/2021

Opens 5th Sprouting Spaces at Stamford Town Center.

Board members

Fernando Álvarez

Chair

Fernando is a community builder through his eponymous Gallery, Clementina Arts Foundation, The Spoon Movement and The-Curtains. As the Chairman of Clementina, his goal is to expand Clementina's programs nationally and internationally.

Richard Leonard

Treasurer

Optimist / Patriarch / Traveler / Competitor / Gastronomist. A convivial numbers enthusiast with the heart of a Lion and a Get-It-Done attitude.

Catherine Holden

Vice Chair & Legal Counsel

Catherine is passionate about contemporary and modern art in particular the intersection of urban art & culture. As Vice Chair of Clementina, she seeks to foster an appreciation for the process of creating and bringing art to life within communities.

Diana Sofia Valencia

Director Social Media and Events

Diana is a beginning philanthropist with a substantial interest in doing small things in a great way. Through Clementina she is able to fulfill that passion, currently leading the social media and events at all Sprouting Spaces.

Lee Smalter

Board Member

Owner of The Smalter Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri, representing local and emerging artists with unique perspectives. Lee continues to encourage growth in the local and national art community through their service on the CAF board and the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (KCVLAA) in Kansas City.