The Space Between Us: A Study in Connection and Contrast
In a city defined by proximity, of people, ideas, ambition, and emotion, the spaces between us often carry as much weight as the moments of direct contact. That tension, intimacy, and exchange are at the heart of The Space Between Us, a group exhibition curated by New York–based artist Mitchell Rodbell, opening at One Art Space in TriBeCa.
On view from January 12 through January 18, 2026, the exhibition brings together 13 artists whose works explore how connection manifests visually—through color, texture, gesture, movement, and atmosphere. Rather than anchoring the show in a single narrative or aesthetic, Rodbell curates the exhibition as a living dialogue, allowing contrast and cohesion to exist simultaneously across the gallery.
The participating artists, Mitchell Rodbell, Miyuki Fuji, Madhu Powar Garg, Marietta Gavaris, Yasuji Hirashiki, John Kneapler, Suyapa Quinn, Toby Rabiner, Candace Raney, Jacqueline Rey, Jules Schaffer, Susana Tavel, and Heidi Teuscher– each bring distinct visual languages shaped by decades of practice, cultural heritage, and personal evolution. Many are connected through the Art Students League of New York, adding an undercurrent of shared discipline and lineage to the exhibition.
An opening reception will take place on Thursday, January 15, beginning with a VIP hour from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by a public reception from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, welcoming collectors, artists, and the broader cultural community into the space.
Rodbell, known for paintings that draw inspiration from oceans, skies, and blooming forms, approaches curation with the same sensitivity that defines his own practice. His vision centers on how works communicate across physical distance, how color can echo, how movement can mirror, and how stillness can anchor a room. The result is an exhibition that feels less like a lineup of individual statements and more like a shared emotional terrain.
Co-owner of One Art Space, MaryAnn Giella McCulloh, reflects on the significance of the exhibition within the gallery’s broader mission:
“We are honored to welcome this talented group of artists to One Art Space for The Space Between Us. Many of the participating artists are part of the Art Students League community, and it is a privilege to share their work with TriBeCa audiences in a show that highlights both individual voices and the conversation that happens when those voices come together.”
That sense of conversation is palpable throughout the exhibition. From intuitive abstraction influenced by Zen philosophy and movement, to works informed by decades of engagement with fashion, architecture, design, and education, the show reveals how varied life paths converge within a single space. The emotional charge lives not only in the paintings themselves, but in how they coexist, sometimes harmonizing, sometimes pushing against one another.
Since opening in 2011, One Art Space has established itself as a destination for exhibitions that bridge generations and artistic disciplines. Located at 23 Warren Street, the gallery’s glass-fronted, ground-level space allows natural light to interact with the works inside, reinforcing the exhibition’s emphasis on atmosphere and experience. Over the past 15 years, One Art Space has presented a dynamic mix of artists ranging from street-art icons to abstract painters, continually reinforcing its commitment to both legacy and innovation.
The Space Between Us aligns seamlessly with that mission, offering a timely reflection on how art functions as a connective force in an era defined by fragmentation and speed. In bringing these artists together, the exhibition invites viewers to slow down, notice nuance, and consider how meaning is formed not only through presence but also through relationship.
Find more information on Instagram: @oneartspace, @mrodbellart, and @lawlormedia
Exhibition Details
Location: One Art Space, 23 Warren Street, TriBeCa
Dates: January 12–18, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 15 | 6:00–9:00 PM
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Photo credits: One Art Space, Mitchell Rodbell