Why we’re here
Artse was founded with two distinct missions in mind: One, curate beautiful spaces that reflect the client’s taste, vision and spirit. And two, to help talented artists (which there are many) find markets for their work.
Mission statement aside, we simply love art!
There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who can transform a yellow spot into the sun.”
- Pablo Picasso
We know the difference
Cynthia Khoury
Founder & Managing Director
Founder & Managing Director
Cynthia’s appreciation for the beauty and power of art began at an early age. She commissioned her first artwork at age seven when she hired a talented third grader to add illustrations to her science project (She got an A). Her focus in both school and her spare time was always on the arts. As a young adult she discovered the business world was also enthralling. She embarked on a career in Business Development and Sales, enjoying developing relationships with clients, wheeling, dealing, negotiating and hustling. While the work was quite consuming, she kept her passion for art alive by sneaking out to museums, exhibitions and galleries in her free time. She recently decided to merge her first and second loves by founding Artse. Her vision is to bridge the gap between art and commerce by using her business sense and experience to build an earning platform for artists while creating aesthetically pleasing spaces for clients that reflect their individual tastes, missions and souls. Cynthia is the rare person who is able to see the beauty in everything (even mankind!). And if she sees something that can be made more beautiful, she’s working on it.
Frida Kahlo | Theater | Gardening | Painting | Traveling
Nawal el Masri
Branding & Marketing Director
Nawal is a woman whose heart and mind are too big for one career. After three years as a Brand Activator for beauty products at Unilever, she became disillusioned with the hierarchy, red tape and general lack of joy incorporate life. She took a huge leap of faith and struck out on her own. While working as a freelance marketing and branding consultant, she also founded Exhale, a platform that helps people find fulfilment and sanity in their careers and personal lives with living mindfully, self reflection and continuous education. Exhale’s success and message has made Nawal a requested speaker at prestigious events and institutions. It was through Exhale that Nawal met Cynthia. Nawal’s encouragement and support helped propel Cynthia to follow her dreams and found Artse. Nawal continues that support by lending her marketing and branding expertise to the endeavour. When Nawal isn’t busy helping build Artse, or evolving Exhale, she speaks at events, hosts the #LOUDER podcast, and is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health. Occasionally, she sleeps.
Jean Michel Basquiat | Writing | Art Therapy | Cultural Exploration
Lesley Stern
Writer
Lesley spent millennia (okay, decades) in NYC writing advertising copy for some of the most respected brands in the world. She retired shortly after they started calling “writers” “content providers.” Cynthia and Nawal tempted Lesley away from her life of indolence to help them out because they liked the way she paints pictures with words. Which just goes to show that Artse is also great at curating writers.
Whistler’s mother which Lesley believes looks like her