News & Press
What the world
is saying.
Open Invitational and Open Studio have been covered by artnet, the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Mission Magazine. The work is being noticed. For press inquiries, interview requests, or media assets, contact us directly.
"A stunner, the quiet hit of the week."
"Open Studio avoids such pitfalls, looking beyond narratives of hardship to focus on the art itself. It's an inspiring project in more ways than one."
"The art world is on a constant hunt for authenticity and the thrill of discovering overlooked artists, and it seems our artists are next on the radar."
Press coverage
Focusing on artists with disabilities, the fair drew major VIPs in its opening hours — including musician David Byrne, curator Gary Carrion-Murayari from the New Museum, Matthew Higgs of White Columns, and critic Bob Nickas. Nine studios participated at 356 Broadway in Tribeca during the Armory Show week.
Read on artnetA new gallery features work from creators with disabilities, expanding arts access while highlighting artistic talent. "Open Studio avoids such pitfalls, looking beyond narratives of hardship to focus on the art itself. It's an inspiring project in more ways than one."
Read in WSJRachel Carle Cohen and David Fierman aim to build on the success of the Open Invitational art fair in Miami last December. Open Studio opens July 10 at 127 Henry Street with a solo show of John Tursi, whose works the New York Times once said come close to "genius status."
Read on artnetCreativity Explored receives a $100,000 Culture Forward Grant to host the first Creativity Explored x Open Invitational during San Francisco Art Week 2026, January 22–25. The partnering presenter, Open Invitational, was founded in Miami in 2024 by David Fierman and Ross McCalla.
Read in SF ChronicleOpen Studio invites viewers into an inclusive, caring art world. "The art world is on a constant hunt for authenticity and the thrill of discovering overlooked artists, and it seems our artists are next on the radar," said Fierman.
Read in Mission MagazineLatest news
The first dedicated web presence for Miami's museum for disability art — presenting the full institutional story, the national museum partner network, and the programs behind it.
The first Open Invitational in San Francisco, hosted by Creativity Explored with a $100,000 Svane Family Foundation grant, ran January 22–25, 2026 during SF Art Week.
Open Studio presents Victor Van's solo exhibition Great Expectations, March 11 through April 25, 2026 at 127 Henry Street, New York.
Open Invitational returned to New York at 356 Broadway in Tribeca, September 2025, drawing David Byrne, New Museum curator Gary Carrion-Murayari, White Columns director Matthew Higgs, and American Folk Art Museum curator Valérie Rousseau.
Open Studio launches with John Tursi's solo exhibition Lozenges, alongside a group show at FIERMAN. Covered by the Wall Street Journal, artnet, and Mission Magazine.
Open Invitational made its debut at Palm Court in the Miami Design District during Art Basel week, December 2024. 11 studios participated. Artnet's Andrew Russeth called it "a stunner, the quiet hit of the week."
About Open Universe — for press use
Open Universe is Miami's first museum dedicated to artists with disabilities — and a fundamentally new kind of museum. Rather than housing a static collection in a single building, it operates through a physical hub in Miami and a nationwide network of partner locations where rotating, museum-quality exhibitions live in the world. Open Universe was co-founded by Ross McCalla and David Fierman, and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its programs include Open Invitational, a national art fair dedicated exclusively to artists with disabilities, and Open Studio, a year-round gallery at 127 Henry Street, New York. theopenuniverse.com
Press kit
Institutional overview, founder bios, program descriptions, high-resolution logos, and photography available on request.
Request press kitPress contact
For all media inquiries, interview requests, and image requests — we respond within 24 hours.
press@theopenuniverse.com
Send press inquiryStay up to date.
Follow the museum.
News, exhibition announcements, fair dates, and museum updates — delivered directly to your inbox.
No spam. News, exhibitions, and updates only.