Inspired by family visits to local museums, Island Weiss, at age 10, began formal drawing lessons in charcoal. It was the first step in a remarkable career that would take him from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC, to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he founded the first gallery exclusively for RISD students, and then on to New York City. There, in 1980, the young artist and entrepreneur co-founded the Greene Space Gallery, SoHo’s first venue to bring together visual and performing artists under one roof.

Weiss expanded his purview with a successful consulting business to galleries in the Northeast, then launched his own gallery in New York City in 1995. The Island Weiss Gallery started with a sizeable collection of extraordinary paintings by Martin Johnson Heade, and continues to focus on 19th and 20th century American, European, and contemporary paintings and sculpture.

Today, after more than 30 years in the art business, Weiss’ enthusiasm for his work remains palpable and his expertise is finely honed. Celebrities and other luminaries are among his loyal clientele; he is also a valued consultant to museums, where he advises both on acquisitions and exhibitions.

Weiss is fond of saying that he came to the gallery business in an unconventional way - - as an artist, not as an academician. His penchant for doing things differently (“outside the nine dots”) enables him to indulge a passion that is rare among art dealers: producing thematic events that bring together art, philanthropy, theatre, and fun! Weiss helped produce The National Art Show, a yearly exhibition and competition for artists with disabilities. He co-produces events for The Garland Appeal USA, which raises money to fight breast cancer and served on the board of directors of the Florence Academy of Art. Weiss continues to support worthy causes, most notably by hosting gatherings that benefit, among others, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Nowhere is Weiss’ keen eye and artistic flair more evident than in his “by-appointment-only” gallery in New York City, where he provides one-on-one consultations with clients in a relaxed and elegant environment.
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