ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art
An immersive exhibition and art history book release positioning nail sculpture as fine art. A.I.R. Gallery, New York, February 2024.
Nail sculpture, on the gallery wall.
ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art opened at A.I.R. Gallery as our inaugural culture activation: an immersive exhibition paired with the release of ACRYLICS the Book, an art history book positioning nail sculpture as fine art.
What makes it fine art?
Nail art is sculpted, painted, and designed by hand, yet it is rarely shown where fine art is shown. Hidden Sculptural Art placed nail sculpture in a gallery and documented its history in print.
The exhibition opened Nail Networks™ public-benefit programming: showcases that give artists a stage and connect the industry's small businesses with the tools to grow.
Highlights
The first Nail Networks™ culture activation.
An art history book released alongside the exhibition.
Beyond the Brush, presented with Shopify New York.
Debuted in the exhibition and featured in ACRYLICS the Book.
Gallery
ACRYLICS’ Commitment to Social Change
Every Nail Networks™ exhibition is measured against our Greater Good Goals, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Here is how Hidden Sculptural Art contributed.
- SDG4
Quality Education
ACRYLICS the Book records nail sculpture's history as an art form, creating a learning resource for artists and the public.
- SDG8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Beyond the Brush connected nail artists and salon owners with commerce tools to grow their businesses.
- SDG10
Reduced Inequalities
Gave a gallery stage to an art form, and a workforce, often left out of fine art spaces.
- SDG11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Treated nail art as cultural heritage worth exhibiting and preserving in New York's arts community.
- SDG17
Partnerships for the Goals
Delivered with A.I.R. Gallery and Shopify New York.
Featured Talent
Hidden Sculptural Art debuted 11 nail artists, each featured in the exhibition and in ACRYLICS the Book.
Aja Walton
Brooklyn-based editorial nail artist and essie ambassador, profiled in ACRYLICS the Book.
Alexis Auer
Licensed nail artist behind Finger Paints, known for ornate, regency-style florals and profiled in ACRYLICS the Book.
Jalen Dominique
Multidisciplinary artist behind GODSUN, working across nail art and textiles.
Lesly Arrañaga
Nail artist creating custom press-ons and nails for editorial shoots, UGC, and PR, now based in Los Angeles.
Marbles Valdez
NYC nail artist specializing in gel and 3D nail art, profiled in ACRYLICS the Book.
Melissa Samuel
Brooklyn nail artist behind Finesse Your Claws, creating wearable curated art with chunky gems and delicate florals, plus a training academy and press-on line.
Momoka Takahashi
Tokyo-based nail artist known for kawaii-inspired designs.
Parvee Perry
Founder of Parvee Studios, a press-on nail educator and mentor known for precise line work and structure.
Sky Somalia
NYC nail artist behind Skyy Nails International, creating editorial nail art.
Stephanie Kao
Philadelphia and NYC-based creative behind Studio Aoko, known for conceptual soft-gel nail art seen in InStyle and Vogue.
Contributors
- A.I.R. GalleryHost venue, Brooklyn
- ICECOLDCurator and creator
- Matthew ShermanExhibition photography
- Shopify New YorkBeyond the Brush partner
- Nail Networks™Social impact program
- ACRYLICSPresenting platform and book
- Vision Creative GroupProducer
Social Impact Scorecard
Our Greater Good Goals scorecard tracks each program against the UN Sustainable Development Goals it serves.
| Goal | How Hidden Sculptural Art contributed | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | ACRYLICS the Book records nail sculpture's history as an art form, creating a learning resource for artists and the public. | Delivered |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Beyond the Brush connected nail artists and salon owners with commerce tools to grow their businesses. | Delivered |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Gave a gallery stage to an art form, and a workforce, often left out of fine art spaces. | Delivered |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Treated nail art as cultural heritage worth exhibiting and preserving in New York's arts community. | Delivered |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Delivered with A.I.R. Gallery and Shopify New York. | Delivered |
Campaign FAQs
- Where and when was it held?
- At A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, from February 10 to March 10, 2024.
- Who was featured?
- 11 nail artists, curated by ICECOLD. Meet them under Featured Talent on this page.
- What was on view?
- An immersive exhibition of nail sculpture, presented with the release of ACRYLICS the Book, an art history book positioning nail sculpture as fine art.
- What was Beyond the Brush?
- A Small Business Advancement Summit program with Shopify New York that connected nail artists and salon owners with commerce tools.
- Can I still see the work?
- The exhibition has closed. The full story lives in our newsroom, and new showcases are announced to newsletter subscribers first.
- How can I support future exhibitions?
- Sponsors, donors, and social-impact partners fund Nail Networks™ programming. Reach out through our contact page to partner with us.
Press
- Inaugural culture activation and Small Business Advancement Summit
- Hyperallergic: ACRYLICS in the Spring 2024 New York Art Guide
- Meer: ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art
- Scratch Magazine: immersive nail art exhibition opens in New York City
- Hypebae: ICECOLD's ACRYLICS exhibit is an ode to the cultural impact of nail art
- Highsnobiety: ACRYLICS, a new book on nail art's colorful history
- CNN Style: the creatives pushing nail art to sculptural new lengths
More Exhibitions
Public-benefit exhibitions, workshops, and career advancement programming for rising talent and small business owners in the nail and beauty industry.
