Marla Wasser
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Website: pursuitsinc.com
Email: marla.wasser@pursuitsinc.com
Phone: 416.487.0008
Pursuits Inc. was founded as an art advisory by Marla Wasser in 2007 with a unique two-pronged approach to our business practice. An award-winning firm, we work closely with private clients to build inspiring art collections and create original museum exhibitions. Support of major national museums around Marla’s award-winning exhibitions creates a level of confidence unique to her advisory practice.
In 2023, Pursuits expanded its expertise with our newest division, the Agency, which is dedicated to building the future of brand engagement. Pursuits has a multi-dimensional understanding of the art industry and is deeply immersed in all aspects of the development from web2 to web3. Working across traditional art, new media, and the metaverse, we act as a cultural bridge by creating opportunities through artistic collaboration and storytelling.
About Marla Wasser
Marla Wasser is an independent museum curator, art consultant, and founder of Pursuits Inc., an internationally focused art advisory and curatorial firm. With over three decades of collecting experience, Marla is passionate about its rewards and sensitive to its complexities. Compelled by art’s unique ability to impact the many layers of today’s culture, Marla believes that art’s crossovers with technology, fashion, design, and politics create a stage of opportunity and conversation. As an art specialist, her expertise is wide-ranging, with projects from Pop to contemporary and new media art, including the creation of award-winning museum exhibitions in Canada. Pursuits Inc. combines Marla’s business savvy with her intellectual perspective. Marla has written on the business of collecting, sharing her insight and in-depth analysis of contemporary art, events, and trends; featured in national publications, such as Bay Street Bull, Dress to Kill Magazine, and BNN (Business News Network).
Community-minded thinking and collaboration are the pillars of Marla’s personal and professional philosophy. Marla is proud to have spearheaded “The Pursuits Salon”, bringing together like-minded individuals through a series of educational and inspiring events celebrating community leaders and mentoring young professionals in the arts. Marla is dedicated to both the local and international art communities and has supported the Art Gallery of Ontario’s smart Women initiative, as well as the National Gallery of Canada. She has also held positions with the Canadian Art Foundation’s Art Advisory Committee and the North American Acquisitions Committee for Tate Modern in London.
Museum Exhibition Projects
RAM: Rethinking Art & Machine, Creator & Curator
RAM: Rethinking Art & Machine is an exhibition that embraces the heart of technology. It explores the humanization of machines and celebrates the deeply personal visions of the artists who work with them. Showcasing pioneering artists who use technology as an extension of their practice, RAM tells the stories of their mentors, muses, life experiences, and passions.
The Art, Inspiration and Appropriation of Andy Warhol, Creator & Curator
The Art, Inspiration and Appropriation of Andy Warhol explores one of the 20th century’s greatest artists and his historical relationships with the artists that came before him, his relationships with artists during his lifetime and his continuing relevance to contemporary artists. This project was in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh and the Andy Warhol Foundation in New York.
Credentials
Canada Prestige Awards, 2020/21 Boutique Advisory Firm of the Year Award
Pursuits Inc. is proud to have received this award, recognizing small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past year.