ArtNest, Inc.

ArtNest is an online marketplace and management platform bringing curated art and products to design professionals and art lovers everywhere

Company Summary

ArtNest is an innovative ecommerce platform that offers a curated selection of affordable art from emerging artists and galleries to design professionals and art lovers. Intelligent search and project management for interior designers facilitate and organize art sourcing for clients. Patent pending technology allows buyers to create personalized artwork by combining photographs with art/design to create art that reflects life and brand stories.

Team

  • Tara M. Coles, MD
    CEO and Co-founder

    Tara is CEO and Co-Founder of ArtNest. She holds a BS in Psychology from Haverford College and an MD from the GW School of Medicine. After serving as Chief Resident, practicing as an attending ER physician and developing high-level leadership and managerial skills, Tara decided to return to her life-long love of the arts. Coming from a family of successful entrepreneurs, Tara created ArtNest to make art and design accessible and personal.

  • Karina Bania
    Presdient and Co-Founder

    Karina Bania is the President & Co-Founder of ArtNest. Karina received her BS in Management from San Diego State University with additional studies in visual arts at UCSD. Interested in the many faucets of art and design, Karina has been licensing and selling her artwork to retail boutiques across the US and abroad. Her paintings have been featured in marketplaces like Restoration Hardware and Land of Nod.

  • David Swearingen
    CTO

    David Swearingen is a Senior Software Engineer at 42six Solutions Extensive systems engineering and software development experience. David is a highly creative problem-solver in a variety of disciplines from systems down to micro-electronics. David has an agile approach that emphasizes accelerated pace, building the simplest thing that could possibly work, and improving systems iteratively in a rapidly changing business and technology landscape.

  • Sara Greenberg
    Chief Editorial Officer

    Sara's love of art, writing, and languages is manifest in the work she has done in Europe and in DC. Before working as a business journalist in Albania, she completed her Master's in Paris, where she studied literature and art history, and which culminated in an internship at Sotheby's in Paris. Returning to DC, she now works as a French teacher and translator, as well as a photographer. She is fluent in French, Italian and studies Russian.

  • Christopher Baer
    Director of User Experience/User Interface

    Christopher Baer is a UX expert with a background in web development and marketing of lifestyle brands and has worked with over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and local tech startups. Chris headed the operations for JDB Fine Hotels & Resorts and currently directs innovation projects at Marriott International with cross-industry partners, and MIT and RISD. Chris is a RISD graduate and an accomplished contemporary painter.

  • Michael Huneke
    Front End Developer

    Michael Huneke is a software engineer and user experience specialist with 7 years experience designing and building software systems designed for people. Trained as a computer scientist, Michael has branched into mobile development, user experience design, and entrepreneurship.

  • Mariesa Dale
    Graphic Designer

    Mariesa Dale is a highly-talented web designer and illustrator. Mariesa received her BFA at Cornish College of the Arts. An excellent collaborator who is adaptable to the changing priorities of clients, Mariesa takes her passion for what she does and uses it to the client’s advantage on projects ranging from brand discovery to user experience design.

  • Theodore Adamstein
    Senior Advisor/Chief Curator

    Theodore Adamsten is Founder of FotoWeekDC, a prominent Arts non-profit organization. He co-founded Dodge-Chrome, a professional photographic imaging studio. Theo graduated from The Cooper Union School of Architecture and has been active in the architectural, photographic and arts community for decades. He has served on boards of numerous arts organizations and has exhibited his fine art photography in private galleries and museums.

  • Cynthia Traeger
    Senior Advisor

    Cynthia Traeger is CEO of Pacific Siren International LLC, a diversified technology holding company and as President of VSI Pacific. Cynthia devotes time mentoring small businesses and is an advocate for women business founders and CEOs. She also donates time in a wide variety of philanthropic, artistic and entrepreneurial organizations including serving as the Co-Director of the DC Founder Institute and international mentor.

  • Christopher Addison
    Senior Advisor

    Christopher Addison is co-founder of Addison/Ripley Fine Art, one of Washington, D.C. ‘s foremost contemporary galleries. Christopher is an art consultant and active member of the Art dealers Association of Greater Washington. He received his degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

  • Susan Rosenbaum
    Advisor

    Susan A. Rosenbaum is President and founder of S.A. Rosenbaum & Associates. She brings more than thirty-five years’ experience guiding institutional growth, especially in arts and culture, through strategic planning, resource development, marketing and programming.

Advisors

  • Marisa Terrenzi, Holland and Knight, McClean, VA
    Lawyer
    Unconfirmed
    Grossberg Company LLP, Bethesda, MD
    Accountant
    Unconfirmed

Previous Investors

  • None
    Unconfirmed

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