The formation of the partnership will enable the gallery to maintain a well-established context for the gallery’s artists, ensuring continuity for years to come. It provides a sense of trust and optimism in an ever-evolving art world and reflects Cooper’s dedication to building a robust future for the gallery. The four partners have a combined sixty years of experience working at Paula Cooper Gallery nurturing the careers of a wide range of influential artists. They will continue to work closely with Paula Cooper to direct the gallery’s future.
Steve Henry, Senior Partner, joined Paula Cooper Gallery as Director in 1998. Henry has organized numerous exhibitions at the gallery, from major one-person exhibitions to important group shows. In 2020, Henry oversaw the opening of the gallery’s first location outside of New York City in Palm Beach. Prior to 1998, Steve was a director at the Margo Leavin Gallery in LA. He previously worked at the New Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art.
Anthony Allen, Partner, joined Paula Cooper Gallery in 2000, following a position on the faculty of the Department of French & Italian at Ohio State University. A published writer and translator, Allen has an MA and PhD in French Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. He has also been actively involved with the gallery’s adjunct organization, 192 Books, since its inception in 2003.
Lucas Cooper, Managing Partner, joined Paula Cooper Gallery in 2013. A native New Yorker, Lucas grew up with the gallery; since joining it officially, he has worked closely with gallery artists and collaborated with Paula Cooper on planning for the gallery’s future. He previously worked at the influential independent record label ROIR, becoming its president in 2001.
Alexis Johnson, Partner, joined Paula Cooper Gallery in early 2021, after working at Paula Cooper from 2010 through 2016. From 2016 to 2020, she was a Director and Artist Liaison at Lévy Gorvy, New York. She was previously a director at Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in New York and 1301PE Los Angeles, and managed the studio of artist Rirkrit Tiravanija.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome these four remarkable individuals as my partners. Their dedication and that of the staff, community of professionals, and collectors with whom we collaborate has made clear that there is a place for a focused, artist-driven gallery like ours—even in an art world that has continued to change dramatically since we opened our doors in 1968.
Lucas, Steve, Anthony, and Alexis understand what has made this gallery possible for fifty years. They not only understand the culture, but also how to evolve in the next chapter. I look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of the gallery’s artists.” – Paula Cooper
“Artists are the driving force of everything that we do at the gallery. We are profoundly committed to providing artists with the support they need and will be for years to come.” – Steve Henry, Senior Partner
The formation of the partnership coincides with a particularly active moment for the gallery. In the winter of 2020, Paula Cooper Gallery opened a pop-up location in Palm Beach, which will continue for future seasons. The gallery will reopen its refurbished 534 West 21st Street location following renovations in late 2021. Read more about the future of the gallery in the New York Times.