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’s objective is to fund three crucial programs with three distinct objectives:

  • Kid+Contemporary Program: We provide kids ages 10-17 the rare opportunity to visit collectors’ homes or private museums and be granted a tour by the collector of their collection accompanied by lunch with the collector.
  • Sprouting Spaces Program: We solve emerging and mid-career artists’ number one cost: affordability of space to create. By partnering with landlords who have commercial vacancies, we help artists create stress-free and expand their work’s horizon while also bringing visual culture to communities.
  • Special Support Museum Project Funding: We help museums by serving as a conduit to our network and influence, and our ongoing promotion of their special situation funding needs for special projects that fall out of their existing budgets.

Our Roots

Clementina was an off-shoot of the Alvarez Gallery, which began Sprouting Spaces in 2011 after seeing so many commercial vacancies in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. By negotiating with conscious landlords, Sprouting Spaces was born, and years later, Clementina Arts Foundation.

The Clementina Arts Foundation Today

Board members

Fernando Luis Alvarez

Chair

Fernando Luis Alvarez is a Colombian-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural innovator redefining how art intersects with community. Raised between Medellín and Greenwich, CT, his successful career as an innovator spans multiple industries, culminating in founding the Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery (2009)—a launchpad for emerging talent and a hub for artistic disruption and community building.

He has championed global art movements, from sponsoring Joseph Kosuth’s “Ni Appearance ni Illusion” at the Louvre and the Spoon Movement to founding Kudos Shed, an immersive exhibition space pushing curatorial boundaries. He continues bridging art, social impact, and cultural transformation through the Clementina Arts Foundation and the Alvarez Gallery, creating movements such as The Spoon Movement, The Curtains, and Hug for Unity.

Alvarez serves as vice-chair of The Global Recovery Movement and sits on the board of the Brain Fitness Foundation.

Lee Smalter

  Secretary

Lee Smalter is a curator, artist, and the owner of Smalter Gallery. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2009 with a degree in psychology and earned a master’s in applied community psychology from Sacred Heart University in 2011. After working in psychology in Kansas, she followed her passion for art and opened Smalter Gallery on W 39th Street in Kansas City in March 2019.

Richard Leonard

  Treasurer

Richard moved to the U.S. from England in 1991, originally from Ireland. He studied business and financial management at Bournemouth University. After working in London’s hospitality industry, he opened The Porterhouse Steakhouse in South Norwalk, CT, and ran it for over 10 years. In 2008, Richard founded Servebest, combining his hospitality experience with business and entrepreneurial skills in accounting. Servebest now helps small to midsize businesses, families, and non-profits manage their financial stability.

Jose Cuartas

Construction & Real State Advisor

Jose is a Greenwich-based real estate broker specializing in residential and commercial real estate, as well as international business. Raised in Greenwich, CT, he holds a degree in economic science from Trinity College. Inspired by his Colombian immigrant parents and his experience learning English as a self-taught speaker, Jose began his career in real estate through hands-on work in construction and development. He is also a former asset manager and has co-founded three businesses in Colombia.

Tully Robinson

Technology Advisor

Originally from Australia, Tully graduated in Computer Science from the University of New South Wales. He is currently a Tech Lead at Meta in Miami, FL. With experience as a software engineer in New York and California, Tully has also launched several websites, some of which have made front-page news.

Reza Nouranian

  Architectural Advisor

Reza Nouranian is the Principal of Reza Nouranian Design, an architecture, planning, and interior design firm based in New York, with a portfolio spanning from New York to Los Angeles and from Paris to Istanbul. A trained architect with a classical French education, Reza is recognized for his ability to blend architectural precision with designs that integrate classic and forward-thinking elements.

Ellie Manko Libby

  Legal & Fundraising Advisor

Ellie has over twenty years of experience in philanthropy, transitioning from law to become a consultant and entrepreneur in fundraising and strategic partnerships for nonprofits and social ventures. She holds a JD from NYU and a BA from Brown University, Magna Cum Laude. Ellie is a member of the NYU Law Alumni Board, the Brown Leadership Council, and the Prince Edwards Foundation Honorary Council. In 2022, she founded ERM Consulting LLC, focusing on children’s mental health, music, education, and U.S.-Asia relations. She also co-manages The Manko Family Foundation, working on its growth and mission.

Liane Pei

 Strategic Growth & Relationships Chair

Liane Pei is an experienced Senior Management and Strategy professional with over 10 years of expertise in public affairs, advocacy, education, and stakeholder relations. She has a proven track record in program management and operations across healthcare, arts, and education industries. Liane has led initiatives in strategic planning, community outreach, and partnerships for various non-profits and educational organizations. She has also served as Director of Admissions at The Browning School and Director of External Affairs at Avenues: The World School, focusing on community engagement, recruitment, and fundraising. Liane holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University.

Holly Jones

 Executive Assistant

Holly graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Leeds in 2012. She spent ten years supporting C-suite executives in major non-profits, including the UK National Health Service and the Communications Ombudsman Service. She then founded Jones PA Services to focus on supporting executives in the arts and performing arts industries. Holly splits her time between Liverpool, UK, and the Occitanie region in France.

Clementina Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the state of connecticut