Our Story
It all started with a simple question…
“What happens to all of this?”
When our founder, Jim Forward, was invited by his art teacher to draw with local Rochester, New York artists at their studio, he noticed something striking—piles of unsold artwork from their last show. Curious, he asked, “What happens to all of this?” They shrugged it off and explained they were already creating new pieces for the next show.
Jim was stunned
Why should artists have to keep producing new work just to stay visible, even when incredible pieces remain unsold? He realized this wasn’t just their reality—it was a problem plaguing artists everywhere. Countless works of art sit unseen in studios, basements, attics, and storage units instead of being enjoyed and appreciated.
That realization sparked a mission: to break the cycle. To create a space where artists could showcase, engage, and sell their work without barriers.
And so, Behold was born.
What began as a simple question grew into a much larger realization: extraordinary artwork exists everywhere, yet much of it remains difficult to discover.
Artists create, galleries exhibit, museums preserve, universities educate, and collectors support creative work—but there has never been a true discovery platform built for visual art.
Behold was created to help bridge that gap.
Our mission is to make more art discoverable by connecting artists, collectors, galleries, institutions, and art lovers through a shared digital experience. By helping artwork live beyond a single exhibition, social post, or moment in time, we aim to create new opportunities for engagement, appreciation, and connection.
As an artist himself and a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Jim understood the importance of visibility, connection, and opportunity within the creative ecosystem.
He believed there should be a better way for people to discover art and engage with artists beyond a single exhibition, gallery visit, or social media post.
That's why he created Behold World Art Exchange.
Today, we're building a global community of artists, collectors, curators, galleries, institutions, and art lovers who share a belief that more art deserves to be seen.
Artists from all backgrounds—including emerging artists, established professionals, students, estates, and cultural organizations—can create a presence on Behold and share their work with a growing audience around the world.
For art lovers, collectors, designers, curators, educators, and anyone passionate about visual culture, Behold offers a new way to discover artists, explore artwork, and engage with art as part of everyday life.
Featuring art by Courtney Gruttadauria & Pat DeLuca
