Massey Klein Gallery to Shut Lower East Side Space and Continue as Nomadic Project
Massey Klein Gallery will close its New York location after nine years, citing financial pressures that made the Lower East Side space unsustainable. Founders Garrett Klein and Ryan Massey, a married couple who said their Christian faith inspired the gallery, plan to pursue nomadic exhibitions instead. The gallery’s current Kate McQuillen show has been extended through November 20.
After nine years in New York, Massey Klein Gallery is ending its physical presence on the Lower East Side. Garrett Klein and Ryan Massey, a married couple, said financial strain made keeping the location unworkable alongside supporting their family and the artists they represent.
The pair, who have described their Christian beliefs as a motivating force behind the gallery, will instead organize temporary exhibitions in other locations. Their current presentation of work by Kate McQuillen will remain on view through November 20; the closure was shared via Instagram on Saturday.
The closure may leave a gap in the Lower East Side’s gallery landscape, affecting local audiences, collectors, and artists who used the space. Because Massey Klein plans nomadic exhibitions, some programming could continue, though without a fixed venue access may become less predictable. The founders’ decision may also draw attention to the financial fragility facing small, independent art spaces, potentially shaping how other dealers consider permanent locations versus temporary projects.