Stephanie Walker, owner of Walker Contemporary
She may declare herself as having started out as a “nobody” in the art world, having sprung forth from rural Vermont, but Stephanie Walker’s tastes are nothing if not urbane. Following eight years at the Chase Gallery on Newbury Street and a year scoping the West Coast for artists on the rise, Walker opened Walker Contemporary in November. The space on which she originally set her sights fell through, so when a spot at 450 Harrison became available, she jumped at the chance — even though colleagues called her crazy given the economic climate. “I could do this blindfolded, in my sleep,” she declares. “And I’m selling. I don’t regret it for sure.” At first glance, with her willowy frame and well-coifed honeycolored locks, Walker appears to be the quintessential gallerina, but it takes only a moment to realize she’s more sunshine and light than imposing art-world gatekeeper. Walker greets customers with a smile and rhapsodizes about her artists and their work just the right amount, in a manner that’s absolutely accessible. And that’s exactly her goal. She says, “I’ll never have a back office. Art is important to humanity, and I want to help everyone connect with it.” We’re sold.

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