In this episode, the founder of Start Shows discusses creating opportunities for artists, building a thriving creative community, and bringing together 40 artists for the latest Art Avengers exhibition in NYC.
For many artists, finding a place to exhibit their work can be one of the most difficult parts of building a creative career.
Galleries can feel intimidating.
Opportunities can seem limited.
And many emerging artists struggle to find spaces willing to take a chance on their work.
For Sophocles, the solution was simple.
If the opportunities didn’t exist, he would create them himself.
Today, that decision has evolved into Start Shows, an independent exhibition platform that has helped hundreds of artists showcase their work in New York City while building a vibrant creative community centered around accessibility, collaboration, and support.
During my conversation with Sophocles at One Art Space in Tribeca, we discussed the origins of Start Shows, his lifelong love of comics and fine art, the creation of his comic series Farm Boy, and why creating opportunities for artists remains at the center of everything he does.
From Artist to Curator
Sophocles’ journey into exhibition organizing began in 2018 with a show called September Fest.
At the time, he had experience helping organize smaller art events, but he wanted something more professional.
He envisioned a space where artists could exhibit work on gallery walls while also creating an environment that felt welcoming, energetic, and community-driven.
After visiting numerous galleries throughout New York City, he eventually discovered One Art Space in Tribeca.
The gallery would become much more than a venue.
It would become home.
What started as a single exhibition evolved into an ongoing series of events that continue to attract artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts from across the city.
Today, Art Avengers represents the nineteenth exhibition Sophocles has organized at One Art Space, a remarkable achievement that reflects years of dedication to supporting artists and building creative connections.
A Love Story Hidden Inside an Art Show
One of the most unexpected stories connected to Start Shows is also one of its most meaningful.
During that first September Fest exhibition, one of the featured artists was Brazilian painter Taís Coelho.
At the time, Sophocles admired her artwork, but he had no idea the exhibition would eventually change his personal life as well.
After the show, the two began spending more time together.
Their relationship grew alongside their artistic collaborations.
Eventually they married and officially launched Start Shows together in 2019.
Today, the couple continues to work side by side, organizing exhibitions while simultaneously developing their own artistic practices.
Their story is a reminder that art communities don’t just create professional opportunities.
They create friendships, partnerships, and sometimes even families.
Building a Community, Not Just an Exhibition
When discussing Start Shows, Sophocles repeatedly returned to one idea: community.
Over the years, the exhibitions have welcomed thousands of visitors while providing opportunities for hundreds of artists.
Collectors.
Curators.
Gallery professionals.
Creative entrepreneurs.
Students.
First-time exhibitors.
Everyone becomes part of the larger ecosystem.
Rather than focusing exclusively on sales or prestige, Sophocles emphasizes connection.
He wants artists to meet one another.
He wants visitors to engage with the work.
He wants people to leave feeling inspired.
That approach has helped Start Shows develop a loyal following throughout New York’s creative community.
Art Avengers at One Art Space
The latest exhibition, Art Avengers, brings together 40 artists working across an impressive range of mediums.
Visitors encounter painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, comics, animation, digital art, NFT projects, mixed media works, and much more.
The exhibition was intentionally designed to celebrate artistic diversity.
No single style dominates.
No medium is prioritized above another.
Instead, the exhibition embraces the idea that creativity can take countless forms.
For visitors, the result is an experience that feels dynamic, welcoming, and constantly surprising.
Every corner offers something different.
Every artist contributes a unique perspective.
The Creator Room
One of the most exciting features of Art Avengers is something rarely found in traditional gallery settings.
The Creator Room.
Rather than asking visitors to simply observe artwork, Sophocles invites them to become artists themselves.
The room provides complimentary art supplies, paper, markers, and drawing materials for guests to create their own work.
Finished pieces can then be displayed on designated walls inside the gallery.
In other words, visitors don’t just attend the exhibition.
They become part of it.
The concept perfectly reflects Sophocles’ philosophy about accessibility and participation.
Art should not feel exclusive.
It should feel inviting.
It should encourage people to create.
Farm Boy: A Passion Project Years in the Making
Beyond organizing exhibitions, Sophocles is also a creator himself.
His comic series, Farm Boy, represents a project years in the making.
The story follows a young farmer who dreams of exploring other worlds and meeting extraordinary beings beyond Earth.
Inspired by manga, animation, fantasy storytelling, and classic comic book traditions, the series combines adventure, humor, science fiction, and martial arts into a vibrant narrative universe.
The protagonist receives extraordinary abilities after an alien scientist intervenes during an impending invasion of Earth.
Soon, even the farm animals gain powers of their own.
What follows is a story filled with imagination, action, friendship, and exploration.
Although fantastical, Farm Boy also reflects aspects of Sophocles himself.
Like the character, he values compassion.
Like the character, he feels connected to animals.
And like the character, he believes imagination can open doors to entirely new possibilities.
Inspired by Comics and Family
Sophocles traces his love of comics back to childhood.
His father introduced him to classic comic books featuring Spider-Man, Superman, and the X-Men.
At the same time, his parents regularly took him to museums and cultural institutions throughout their travels.
As a child, he may not have fully appreciated those experiences.
Today, he recognizes how profoundly they shaped his creative life.
That early exposure to both fine art and popular culture eventually led him to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he studied under respected professionals from the comic book industry.
The education provided technical skills.
But more importantly, it reinforced his belief that art could become a lifelong career.
Looking Toward the Future
When asked about the future, Sophocles shared dreams that extend beyond New York City.
He and his wife have discussed spending more time in Brazil while continuing to support artists through future projects.
Whether through exhibitions, galleries, creative spaces, or entirely new ventures, the mission remains the same.
Create opportunities.
Support artists.
Build community.
And make art accessible to everyone.
Final Thoughts
What impressed me most about Sophocles was his genuine enthusiasm for helping others succeed.
Many organizers focus on events.
Sophocles focuses on people.
Artists are not simply participants.
They are collaborators.
Community members.
Friends.
That mindset has helped Start Shows evolve into something larger than an exhibition platform.
It has become a creative community.
A place where artists can exhibit their work, meet like-minded people, and feel supported throughout their journey.
In a city filled with countless exhibitions and events, that sense of community may be the most valuable artwork of all.
About Tarik Talk Podcast
Tarik Talk Podcast is an international arts and culture podcast hosted by artist Tarik Mendes. With more than 200 episodes across 50 seasons filmed in over 10 countries, the podcast features conversations with artists, curators, museum professionals, collectors, cultural leaders, and creative innovators from around the world.
Recorded inside artist studios, museums, galleries, art fairs, and cultural institutions, Tarik Talk explores the personal stories, creative processes, challenges, inspirations, and career journeys that shape today’s contemporary art landscape.
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