Valerie Francis

Ep.250 Valerie A. Francis is the Founding Director of Knowhere Art Gallery, an independent gallery based on Martha’s Vineyard dedicated to showcasing emerging and mid-career artists from diverse backgrounds. The gallery champions inclusive narratives and celebrates the cultural intersections that shape contemporary art today. With a career that bridges global technology innovation and entrepreneurial ventures in the arts, Valerie brings a rare and dynamic blend of strategy, creativity, and cultural insight to every endeavor she leads. Originally trained as an artist, Valerie earned a BFA in Fine Arts from Hunter College CUNY and later an MBA from Rutgers University, specializing in Marketing. Her professional journey took a transformative turn when she entered the world of global healthcare technology at Sanofi, where she rose to serve as a Technology Head leading digital strategy and analytics for teams across North America, Latin America, and Asia. Immersed in a melting pot of cultures and perspectives, she thrived on the diversity and camaraderie forged across continents. Valerie’s unwavering commitment to her artistic roots led her to co-found Knowhere Art Gallery in 2019 — a haven where creativity flourishes and artists find their voice. Since its inception, the gallery has achieved remarkable success, becoming a destination for collectors and cultural leaders alike. Under her curatorial direction, Knowhere has presented more than twenty-five exhibitions and introduced the work of over thirty artists. Signature moments include its participation in SCOPE Art Fair (2021–2023) and an acclaimed presentation during the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024 with A Common Thread That Binds Us. As a board member of Artists for Humanity in Boston, Valerie has further committed her passion to action, supporting youth empowerment through creativity and entrepreneurship. She is also dedicated to mentoring artists, cultivating private and corporate art collections, and building institutional collaborations that elevate voices from across the art world. Valerie often describes the founding of Knowhere—conceived on Martha’s Vineyard, where she met her partner—as “the nexus of Knowhere,” a place where art, identity, and knowledge converge. Through her work, she continues to sow the seeds of cultural legacy and foster environments where art becomes a catalyst for discovery, connection, and transformation. Website https://knowhereart.com/ 1-54 2025 NYC https://www.1-54.com/new-york/exhibitor-list/knowhere-art-gallery/ artcloud https://artcloud.market/show/knowhere-art-llc-women-rising MV Arts & Ideas https://www.mvartsandideas.com/2024/07/the-road-to-enlightenment-starts-at-knowhere/ Vineyard Gazette https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2024/05/05/knowhere-gallery-showcased-venice-biennale Vineyard Visitor https://vineyardvisitor.com/2024/08/08/art-in-oak-bluffs/knowhere-gallery/ Martha’s Vineyard Times https://hype.co/@themarthasvineyardtimes/2z7j289w | https://www.mvtimes.com/2024/06/12/meets-eye-knowhere-art-cousen-rose-galleries/ Martha’s Vineyard Arts and Ideas https://www.mvartsandideas.com/2024/07/the-road-to-enlightenment-starts-at-knowhere/ Artsy https://www.artsy.net/partner/knowhere-art