Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery premieres dimensional artwork exhibition

That’s kind of our whole mission as a gallery, the healing power of art.”

Lisa Cooper, owner and curator

On Sept. 25, Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery premiered its latest exhibition, Dimensional Artwork, featuring an array of artists working with diverse materials to create multi-dimensional works that challenge the flatness of traditional art forms.

One showcased piece  — “Wonder Woman” — is an intricate mosaic by Dean Moore, a self-taught artist based in Riverdale known for his unique approach to deconstruction. The process involves cutting glass, ceramic and porcelain tile into thousands of fragments, which are precisely shaped and filed before reassembly into mosaic form.

Moore’s past work, including cereal boxes repurposed into collages of popular sneakers, has gained attention from clients as well known as NBA players. 

Other pieces on display will include layered plexiglass sculptures by New York artist Neva Setlow; a hanging tea set sculpture by Connecticut artist Nina Bentley; debossed paper artwork and a drilled aluminum globe by Washington D.C. sculptor Michael Enn Sirvet; hand-cut botanical collage by Deborah Weiss; and a layered birch wood figurative piece by Texas pop artist Mitch McGee.

Since its founding in 2008, the Moshulu Avenue gallery has become a vital part of the local art community, with Lisa Cooper at the helm as owner and curator. The space, open Wednesdays noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment, is Riverdale’s only contemporary art gallery. It has closed its doors only once in its 12-year history, briefly during the pandemic.

Even while closed, the gallery used this period to adapt, becoming more active on social media and innovating through online exhibitions showcasing pieces meant to bring viewers a sense of calmness.

In addition to the Riverdale location, Cooper has operated an art salon in Fairfield, Connecticut, since 2017. Over the years, she has worked with and represented artists from around the world, making it a priority to donate a portion of gallery sales to charities that support underserved communities through art. 

The Elisa Gallery participates in art fairs around the country and has been featured in a variety of publications. Its clientele is fairly representative of the community — visitors are a mix of art lovers, architects, designers, and curious passersby from the neighborhood. 

Central to the gallery’s ethos is its commitment to giving back.

“We donate a portion of every sale to organizations like Free Arts NYC and the Art Therapy Project,” Cooper said, “That’s kind of our whole mission as a gallery, the healing power of art.”

The gallery also strives to make art more accessible — always looking to meet new clients and artists, and hoping to help people experience art in a deeper and more resonant way.  Cooper tries to support emerging to mid-career artists.

Cooper believes several barriers can prevent people from experiencing art fully, such as financial limitations and the misconception one must possess extensive knowledge to engage with art meaningfully. Especially in New York, there is often an expectation one will not be greeted or even acknowledged walking into a gallery. 

However, at Elisa Contemporary Art, the aim is to make people feel comfortable by greeting them warmly, giving them some background information and a different way of looking at things.

“I feel that it’s so important for people to live with art that makes them feel something,” Cooper said. “So when you look at it, day in and day out, it continues to bring you a feeling of joy or delight or wonder.”

The exhibition will run through Dec. 4, with a special reception Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.