Andy Warhol. “Nude Portrait of Warhol Superstar Baby Jane Holzer,” circa 1974. 14.75 x 12.5 in. (Courtesy: Artnet Auctions).

In true Warholian spirit, the opening of collector Jane Holzer’s art gallery “The Warehouse”—the name is a nod to Warhol’s studio that he called “The Factory,” hosted by Nick Hissom and Kameron Ramirez, cofounders of Aktion Art and long-term friends of Holzer, was the largest art party on the island with some 200 guests in attendance. Guests mingled with artists in the pop-up exhibition that features works by the gallery’s contemporary artist rooster Conor Addison, HEES, ThankYouX, and Nick Hornby, and introduced their newest artist Wes Aderhold.

Today, Jane Holzer is a well-known Palm-Beach-based collector of both pop and contemporary art. But it all started when one day, while walking in New York, Holzer saw and instantly recognized the celebrated art star, Andy Warhol. She didn’t think twice before going over to say hello. Intrigued by Holzer’s audacity, Warhol befriended her, and soon Holzer, nicknamed ‘Baby Jane,’ became a staple in New York’s underground scene. A model and cultural icon, she was a cover girl of many leading publications, starred in Warhol’s films, and modeled for his art. 

Artists Wes Aderhold and HEES at Jane Holzer’s The Warehouse. (Photo courtesy: Mireya Acierto).

Last November, Holzer united with the gallery Aktion Art to stage an exhibition to inaugurate her new exhibition and events space, “The Warehouse.” Aktion Art, cofounded by Nick Hissom and Kameron Ramirez, is a Palm Beach-based gallery that brings historical pop and modern masterpieces together with contemporary art and many self-taught artists. Hissom is also the director of the Wynn Family Collection and works closely with Wynn Fine Art. They hold the collection of the hotelier Steve Wynn, who transformed the Las Vegas strip into an art destination by displaying works by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, as well as works by Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and many others in his hotels. 

Aktion Art has become increasingly known for its signature art parties—with the Museum of Arts and Design at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, as well its collaboration with Aston Martin for a VIP brunch during Art Basel Miami. Nick Hissom and Kameron Ramirez’s events have been featured in Guest of a Guest, New York Social Diary, Las Vegas Weekly, New York Post, Vogue, and WWD, among others. In addition, the dynamic gallerist duo was shortlisted by “Palm Beach 30 under 30;” last year, Palm Beach’s Avenue called them “young gallerists shaking up the Palm Beach Art Scene.” They are also the first same-sex couple to be on the cover of Park Magazine. 

HEES, “White Train.” 2021-22. Acrylic, mixed media, and paint stick on raw canvas. 95in x 84in (Photo courtesy: Aktion Art).

In addition to the works exhibited at Holzer’s art warehouse, on view at Aktion Art’s gallery on the Esplanade, is HEES’s first solo show with Aktion Art and Wynn Fine Art. Titled “EVOLVE,” the exhibition demonstrates an evolution of HEES’s work over the last three years, starting from the first sketch of the HEES in his journal to the multimedia digital canvas See Me Fly. The show highlights other new works, including Think Different, You, White Train, and I’ll Be The Light.” The show will also display HEES’s first set of NFTs, now available at Culture Pulse. Concurrent with this show, a museum-quality artwork by Basquiat is also on view at the gallery. 

Kameron Ramirez and Nick Hissom. (Photo: Mireya Acierto)

“We think art should be enjoyed in beautiful settings and amongst friends,” says Hissom, who expertly curated a fun setting where celebs, collectors, and new and old friends enjoyed never-before-exhibited work by the galley’s rooster. Andrea Hissom-Wynn was seen dancing with her son and co-host. Palm Beach social fixture and writer Whitney Schott posed for photographs with the gallerists, and did you know that Conor Dwyer, the Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer from Team USA likes art? Well, he was seen admiring the artwork and enjoying the ambiance alongside collectors Tyler Tananbaum, Perri and Bob Bishop, and Diesel Peltz. 

Foregoing the stiff white box, the party was a true celebration of art, artists, and creativity. With SUVs lining the street and red velvet rope welcoming the impressive list of guests to the sprawling exhibition at The Warehouse, it was indeed a spectacular start of a new chapter of the Floridian art scene. 

Aktion Art’s flagship gallery is open to the public or by appointment at The Esplanade on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida. “The Warehouse” is by invitation only; one must sign up for the Aktion Arts newsletter to receive invites.