Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts/ ART LA

Ph: (323) 805-9363 ◆ Email: info@artla.biz ◆

GLORIA DELSON has earned a reputation for her

undisputed eye for talent. A former award-winning sculptor herself, Gloria has been an avid collector since early adulthood. Living in a NYC efficiency apartment just out of college, she used to store art under her bed for lack of room.

Having always had a particular interest in avant-guarde, contemporary art – (no Flora and Fauna!!) – Gloria has travelled the world to seek out non-traditional works. This passion led her into a full-time career as an art-dealer more than 30 years ago. Recently, Gloria formed a new division - ART LA, along with her partners, Petra Wright and Leslie Hardy, which focuses on Residential and Corporate Sales.

Gloria still specializes in championing the new and untried in abstraction, and mentoring fresh, new talent continues to be a big bonus in her life.

PETRA WRIGHT grew up in Kassel, Germany; home to the Dokumenta International Art Festival which launched some of the most provocative artists of the 20th Century. This ample exposure laid the foundation for Petra's interest in art, particularly the modern, abstract and contemporary.

Petra received her BFA in Theatre from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, while working professionally on stage and in independent film. The museums of Manhattan became her home away from home. It was here that her artistic interest grew into a passion.

Ultimately, Petra’s career brought her to Los Angeles, where she connected with Gloria Delson, in whom she found a kindred aesthetic spirit. For the past six years, Petra has been Gloria's right hand, acting as Gallery Manager, Co-Curator and Talent Scout. Besides her responsibilities with GDCA, Petra is a partner with Gloria and Leslie Hardy in their joint venture, ART LA.

Petra finds deep meaning in being an advocate for other artists, as she continues to fuel her own creative journey with the support of beautiful, exciting and thought-provoking works.

LESLIE HARDY comes from a background anchored in the arts. “My parents were always dragging my sister and me to the theatre, classical concerts, and museums. I didn’t realize the lasting influence this would have on my life.”

After graduating as valedictorian from her high school class, Leslie chose to spend her college years working as a fashion model. Based in New York and Paris, she traveled the globe at a very young age. Back in the States, Leslie landed a role in a television movie which spawned an acting career and prompted a move to Los Angeles.

After years of working as a television actress, Leslie got her real estate sales license and worked through Keller Williams Realty out of their Sunset/Hollywood Hills office. Her eye for design, passion for aesthetic, visual appeal, and lifelong love of art inspired her to co-create ART LA—an off shoot of her good friend Gloria Delson’s longtime business.

An avid art collector herself, Leslie has a particular interest in narrative folk and ethnic art and abstracted representational works that are challenging and thought provoking.

SCULPTURE BY GLORIA DELSON