How Will the Venice Biennale Impact Alma Allen’s Market?
ARTnews reports that artist Alma Allen’s selection to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale has sparked controversy over the commissioning process, as the pavilion was not organized by a museum but by a newly created body, the American Arts Conservancy, led by Jenni Parido. Parido previously ran a boutique pet food lifestyle shop in Tampa, Florida until 2024 and entered Donald Trump’s orbit through pet charity events at Mar-a-Lago, prompting scrutiny of the selection under President Trump. After the announcement, Allen’s galleries Olney Gleason and Mendes Wood DM dropped him, while Perrotin took him on, raising questions about how the Biennale exposure and political drama will affect his market. The article notes Allen’s long-standing collector base and lists reported buyers including Beth Rudin DeWoody, Peter Morton, Jack Pierson, and others; at auction, his smaller works have typically sold within estimates around $4,000 to $12,000, while functional sculpture/furniture has sold for about $35,000 to $65,000 with some commissions reaching $125,000.
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This story was covered in Sanctions, Scandals, and Venice’s Market Fever