Meet Marina Eliasi

Marina was born in Boston, MA and began making things with her hands at an early age and never stopped. She is currently fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning and curating an art gallery in New York City, Stone Sparrow NYC, with her business partner, best friend and husband, Udi Eliasi. Marina and Udi are parents to two beautiful girls, two dogs and a bunny.

Q+A

What do you know for sure? Literally nothing. Well - I know for sure that I'm a good mother, but nothing else.

What inspires you? So much. The whole world. You. My kids. My husband. The sun and the moon.

What scares you? My kids are growing so fast. I think time scares me. Not that there is too much of it, but how quickly it passes.

What do you think about when you are alone? Lately, my head runs through work stuff constantly. I used to think about new ideas for things I could make, but since opening the gallery, it's all about work. What to do next, who to show next, what hasn't been done yet. Taxes.

What makes you laugh? My kids. Their innocence is amazing and sweet and funny.

What do you believe? I believe in the power of art. The creation of art is therapeutic in so many ways and the viewing of art can be life saving. It can make you think, engage with others, stave off depression, fill your thoughts with something other than the bad news that permeates everyday (lately especially), give you a new perspective - gives you the ability to literally see through the eyes of another.

Who do you admire? I admire anyone who lives their lives to the fullest - fulfilling their dreams and creating positive changes in the world - even if their world is very small.

What's the most outrageous thing you have ever done (that you can share)? That I can share...open this gallery. I decided to take a massive risk and take my family along for the ride. So far - it has been worth it. Not monetarily (at all), but being able to make the dream of a NYC gallery show come true for an amazing artist few know about is incredibly amazing and fulfilling - and then to be able to introduce that artist to so many people when they come through - also - to be able to watch someone transform in front of a particularly moving piece is incredible.

What do you suck at? Time management - getting things like this done in a timely manner - sorry!!

What do you geek out about? Art - duh. ;)

Who helped get you here? My mother, Mrs. Montagna, every professor I had who told me I'd hate a life in design (I majored in Architecture and Art History at Mass Art), my incredibly patient and supportive husband, my kids, everyone who bought my own work or told me my work should be in a gallery.

What gets you through a rough day? Coffee

What new thing have you learned lately? I have learned so many things lately, but I think the most important thing I've learned is that I can do anything if I want to badly enough.

What’s the best advice you have ever given? Double knot your shoe laces.

Where do you go for inspiration? Museums, books, social media, dreams.

What do you wish you had more time for? Making my own art. It's been a little over a year since having time to make my own things, but I love being immersed in the art of others.

What do you hope will be different by this time next year? So much. Too much for this email.

Want more? Visit Stone Sparrow NYC gallery, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.