Zack Rafuls
Ridgewood,NY
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Handler/Preparator
David Kordansky Gallery
New York, NY
07.2022 - Current
- Work on the installation and deinstallation of all gallery exhibitions, private viewing rooms, and offices.
- Maintain storage areas to ensure safe, organized housing of artworks, facilitating efficient access and preservation.
- Led team for Art Basel Miami 2025, managing onsite tech crew and coordinating logistics/communications for successful event execution.
- Train new techs on gallery protocol and institutional knowledge related to artists and artworks, enhancing team readiness and compliance.
- Communicate effectively with artists to understand specific installation requirements and desires.
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery at John Jay College
New York, NY
11.2024 - Current
- Executed art installations for institutional exhibitions in collaboration with gallery director and curators.
- Supervised gallery assistant during installation periods, training in essential art handling techniques.
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Lisson Gallery
New York, NY
01.2025 - Current
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Jack Shainman Gallery
New York, NY
06.2022 - 12.2023
Art Handler/Preparator & Driver
Red Hook Crating
Long Island City, NY
11.2017 - 06.2022
- Delivered comprehensive art handling services, executing residential installs, artist studio collections, and general transport to ensure safe delivery of artworks.
- Regularly operated a 26' box truck throughout NYC and the tri-state area safely.
- Coordinated daily transport schedules, collaborating with dispatch and clients to optimize logistics and maintain timely deliveries.
- As a primary vendor to Christie's, routinely worked on-site at the auction house to condition report, install and pack many high-value artworks.
Art Handler/Preparator & Gallery Assistant
ZieherSmith
New York, NY
07.2016 - 11.2017
- Installation and deinstallation of all gallery exhibitions and private viewing displays.
- Managed gallery operations, maintenance, and administrative tasks to ensure smooth daily functioning.
- Coordinated logistics and transportation of artworks, including international customs procedures, and the personal collection and delivery of artworks locally and nationally.
- Oversaw onsite and offsite art storage; cataloged and organized inventory in gallery management software for easy access.
- Communicated with clients and vendors, fostering strong relationships with various organizations and individuals.
Art Handler/Preparator
Frist Art Museum
Nashville, TN
05.2015 - 07.2016
- Collaborated with team to install and deinstall diverse museum exhibitions, ensuring high standards of presentation and safety.
- Executed museum-grade crating, wrapping, and packing of artworks to protect pieces during transit and storage.
- Received and released crates at museum loading dock, including transportation of crates to and from museum galleries and onsite storage.
- Performed general collection care, partnering with museum registrars to assess and maintain condition of artworks during intake and outgoing processes.
Studio Assistant
Harmony Korine Studio
Nashville, TN
03.2014 - 05.2014
- Worked under direction of artist and studio manager to produce a suite of large scale paintings and mixed media works for 2014 Gagosian exhibition.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Arts
Watkins College of Art
Nashville, TN01-2015
AICAD Mobility Program -
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL01-2014
Skills
- Art installation and gallery operations
- Matting and framing
- Fabrication skills
- Proficiency with most power tools
- Box truck operation
- Inventory management
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Team communication and coordination
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Lisson Gallery
01.2025 - Current
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery at John Jay College
11.2024 - Current
Art Handler/Preparator
David Kordansky Gallery
07.2022 - Current
Art Handler/Preparator (freelance)
Jack Shainman Gallery
06.2022 - 12.2023
Art Handler/Preparator & Driver
Red Hook Crating
11.2017 - 06.2022
Art Handler/Preparator & Gallery Assistant
ZieherSmith
07.2016 - 11.2017
Art Handler/Preparator
Frist Art Museum
05.2015 - 07.2016
Studio Assistant
Harmony Korine Studio
03.2014 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Arts
Watkins College of Art
AICAD Mobility Program -
School of the Art Institute of Chicago