A Stranger Along the Way

Networking for Art and Life

By Delsy Rubio

It feels like it was just yesterday… but over ten years have passed since I visited my friend Maryanne, originally from Maracaibo and now living in Tampa, Florida. It was a heartfelt reunion after many years, and we spent a wonderful week filled with meaningful moments and warm memories alongside her family. We happened to be celebrating Thanksgiving, a tradition in the United States that many immigrants adopt as an opportunity to give thanks—not only for the holiday itself, but also for the chance to start anew with hope, effort, and resilience. Starting over in an unfamiliar land is no small task, especially when you don’t know anyone. Today, after many years of dedication and perseverance, thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit, my friend is a successful businesswoman with financial stability—just like many Venezuelans who have contributed to and enriched the culture and economy of this country through their creativity, talent, and professional drive.

During those days, we explored nearby places that left me with beautiful memories. One of them was Anna Maria Island, where a long wooden pier connects the beach to a restaurant suspended above the water. Places like these are ideal not only for enjoying the local food, but also for noticing the kinds of details that invite contemplation and awaken the senses: feeling the wind on your face, watching dolphins leap and seabirds skim the bay, listening to the sounds of the sea. It’s a deeply relaxing experience that stays with you for years. A symbol I carry in my memory: strangers coming together to leave their mark—their names carved into the wood—reminding us that, like networking, it connects us.

Soon after, I traveled to Miami to attend two major art fairs: Art Miami and Art Basel.

If you enjoy art fairs, the U.S. hosts them year-round in cities across the country. These events are where classical and contemporary styles converge—where diverse visions come together to challenge and expand your perspective. If you’re a visual artist or someone interested in contributing to the art industry, these fairs are excellent spaces to meet the right people and grow your professional network: artists, architects, dealers, art critics, gallery owners, collectors, investors, journalists—or simply art lovers who share your passions. A professional network—commonly known today as networking—often begins when someone you know introduces you to a stranger. If that stranger sees something in you, they may introduce you to someone else, and so on. As people connect and recommend one another, the network grows. And the bigger your network, the greater your chances of sharing your work and making an impact in your field.

But what happens when strangers simply appear along your path?

In those moments, intuition plays a crucial role—that instinct that tells you who to trust and who not to. I bring this up because, during my journey from Tampa to Miami, I traveled with someone I didn’t speak to until we arrived. When he noticed I was looking for a hotel, he said: “My gallerist recommended a place right next to the Miami River Art Fair. I’m exhibiting there this week.” I looked up the hotel on my phone, and it turned out we both ended up staying there. 

We dropped off our bags, and without hesitation, he invited me to visit the gallery where his works were displayed, as well as the fair’s setup and opening. That day, he introduced me to organizers, installers, artists, dealers, and gallery owners.In an instant, this stranger became the first link in a new network of connections—one that continued to grow and would later bear fruit.

Thanks to the inspiration of that chance encounter—and the power of networking—my career began opening up to the international art market. Since then, I’ve participated in notable art fairs such as:
ArtExpo New York, San Diego Art Fair, Red Dot Miami, Art Palm Beach International Art Fair, FIAAM (Maracaibo International Art and Antiques Fair), PArC (Perú Arte Contemporáneo), Amsterdam International Art Fair, and Doral International Art Fair (DIAF).

Each of these experiences has played a vital role in projecting my work into the art world, allowing me to collaborate with other artists, gallery owners, collectors, and art enthusiasts from around the globe. Through these exhibitions, I’ve shared my work across continents, expanding my professional network and solidifying the foundation of my artistic career.

And you—what’s your take on art fairs?

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