Born in Turkiye, and now rooted in the heart of Brooklyn, Gulsum Keskinoglu is an artist, gallerist, and cultural curator who has transformed her personal journey into a lifeline for emerging artists worldwide. As the founder of Awita New York Studio, Awita New York Art Magazine, and Awita New York Design, she has created a multidimensional platform where visual narratives, community, and independent expression come together.
Keskinoglu’s artistic foundation began in sculpture, ceramics, and figurative drawing — shaped by her education at Mugla Faculty in Bodrum and early mentorships with Turkish ceramic masters. After relocating to New York without speaking English, she rebuilt her career from scratch — not only as an international artist but also as a business owner and mentor to others navigating similar paths.
In 2023, she opened Awita New York Studio in Williamsburg — a storefront studio and gallery space where she curates exhibitions, hosts intimate artist events, and creates her signature handcrafted jewelry through Awita New York Design, a line of permanent and sterling silver pieces that reflect her deep connection to form, ritual, and resilience.
Since opening, Awita has held multiple shows each month — sometimes once, twice, or even more — showcasing both local and international artists. The studio has become a vital space for artistic visibility and community building, offering opportunities to creators who might otherwise go unseen.
A key part of Keskinoglu’s vision is her ongoing international open calls, which invites artists from around the world to exhibit in New York City. With curated group shows, printing and framing support, and an open-door ethos, this program ensures that borders never limit artistic expression. It’s a reflection of her core mission: breaking barriers and creating access.
In 2025, she expanded that mission with the launch of Awita New York Art Magazine, a digital publication designed to spotlight visual artists globally through interviews, curated features, and open submissions. Driven by her own challenges as an international artist, the magazine embodies her commitment to accessibility, transparency, and celebration of underrepresented voices.
Keskinoglu’s personal art practice explores themes of womanhood, vulnerability, and transformation. Her visual work often centers on the female form, identity, and memory, using mediums like sculpture and ink drawing to create intimate, emotionally charged pieces. Through Awita New York Design, she channels this same sensitivity into wearable artworks — jewelry that is thoughtful, symbolic, and built to last.
Beyond her creative work, Keskinoglu is also regularly invited to serve as a juror and judge in art exhibitions and student competitions, including international programs in Athens, Chios Island, and New York. Her thoughtful, experience-driven approach to curation and evaluation has made her a trusted voice in recognizing artistic merit and supporting new talent.Through her many platforms, Keskinoglu bridges commercial and cultural spaces — participating in landmark markets like Bryant Park and Columbus Circle with Urban Space while partnering with sponsors such as Zakuska Vodka, and collectives like Hug.Art.
At the core of everything she does is a belief that art should be accessible, supportive, and fearless. From curating exhibitions and publishing artists’ stories to mentoring emerging talents and handcrafting meaningful objects, Gulsum Keskinoglu continues to shape Awita into a living ecosystem — one where art, identity, and community thrive side by side.
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