Since opening its doors in 2019, Brooklyn-based Established Gallery has been dedicated to presenting art enthusiasts and collectors with thoughtfully curated and engaging contemporary art exhibitions. The gallery features Brooklyn's best emerging and mid-career artists. We are artist owned and operated.
Situated at the intersection of Flatbush and 6th Avenue, Established Gallery strives to embody the vibrant spirit of the neighborhood by featuring innovative and thought-provoking work by artists who aren’t afraid to take risks.
The Established Gallery Team
Johnny Thornton
Owner/Director
Johnny Thornton is an artist, curator and art director that lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Connecticut, he spent his childhood in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to Tucson, Arizona, where he studied Fine Arts at the University of Arizona. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Parsons the New School for Design in New York City. Thornton has had work exhibited throughout the United States and is part of several collections. Currently, Thornton works out of his art studio in Gowanus and serves as the Executive Director of Arts Gowanus. Johnny was the Head Curator/Gallery Director at Established Gallery for 2 years before becoming the co-owner in 2022.
Hally Thornton
Owner/Director
Hally Thornton is a comic artist and curator from Tucson, Arizona and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Hally moved to NY and studied creative writing at Hunter College before transitioning to graphic novels and comic books. Hally has spent several years working behind the scenes in exhibition planning and curation at La Bodega Gallery and more recently at Established Gallery. Thornton took a more formal role at Established Gallery when she became a co-owner in 2022.
Rick Secen
Associate Director
Established Gallery is also the home of Rick Secen Studio. Rick Secen is a Brooklyn based artist who has focused on figurative oil paintings since 2015.
His paintings are often scenes portraying a character having a direct interaction with light. Light and atmosphere dominate the canvas. There is often a sense of longing met with the radiance of light. Light is no incidental element, but is itself an active character in the narrative, moving, seeking, and reaching out. Rick's studio and gallery walls, which feature large oil paintings, are open to the public by appointment or walk-in during Established Gallery business hours.
Miguel Reyes
Gallery Associate
Miguel is a Brooklyn based artist known for his compelling and colorful paintings. Miguel joined the team in 2023 and has become an important part of Established Gallery, a "jack of all trades" he helps keeps our doors open with all of his incredible work.
Doctor Stewart Waffles (Phd, MD)
Sales Director
"Doc" is both an art historian and surgeon specializing amputation service for dog toys. He LOVES to meet people (especially new collectors and patrons), but can be quite moody around other dogs... we're working on it.
Max
The Boss of Everything (Retired as of 3/15/2023)
Max was a 14 year old art lover and critic. He had a keen eye for art (he was blind in the other eye) and was a ferocious sales negotiator. He was not necessarily a "people person" and was likely to bark at any stranger who approached him without a treat in hand (he loved chicken). Max lived happily in Brooklyn with his humans, Johnny & Hally
He is missed greatly by everyone at Established Gallery. We loved him more than anything in the world. The gallery won't be the same without his omniscient presence.