Open Invitational Debuts in Basel, Spotlighting Artists from Supported Studios
The fifth edition of Open Invitational, a micro-fair dedicated to artists with developmental disabilities, has been launched in Basel, Switzerland, in conjunction with Art Basel. Co-founded by David Fierman, the event is hosted on the second floor of Franck Areal, just a 15-minute walk from Art Basel. Six supported studios from both the U.S. and Switzerland are showcasing their work at no cost. Featured artists include Cynthia Stickler and Michael Angelo Mangino, whose pieces are priced at approximately $500 and over $1,000, respectively. Mangino had previously participated in the Miami debut of Open Invitational. The fair emphasizes the growing acknowledgment of supported studio artists, such as Marlon Mullen and Nnena Kalu, who received the Turner Prize in December 2024. In collaboration with Living Museum Basel, the exhibition displays 125 artworks by 117 artists and will be open until June 19.
Key facts
- Open Invitational debuted in Basel for its fifth edition, timed with Art Basel.
- The fair features six supported studios from the U.S. and Switzerland exhibiting for free.
- Cynthia Stickler's works are priced around $500; Michael Angelo Mangino's cost upwards of $1,000.
- Mangino had a solo show at Shrine gallery after being spotted at Open Invitational's Miami debut.
- Theo Baransky received a solo show at White Columns after being noticed by Matthew Higgs.
- Marlon Mullen had a solo exhibition at MoMA in 2024.
- SF MoMA celebrated Creative Growth's 50th anniversary in 2024 with over 140 artists.
- LACMA is planning a major survey for 2028.
- Nnena Kalu won the Turner Prize in December 2024.
- ActionSpace co-hosted the 'Curating and Coalition' symposium in March 2025.
- Living Museum Basel opened at Franck Areal in March 2025.
- Living Museum Society was founded by Janos Marton in New York in 1983.
- The fair runs through June 19; OMG, Franck! festival runs through June 20.
Entities
Artists
- Cynthia Stickler
- Michael Angelo Mangino
- Theo Baransky
- Marlon Mullen
- Nnena Kalu
- David Fierman
- Scott Ogden
- Matthew Higgs
- Lisa Slominski
- Janos Marton
Institutions
- Open Invitational
- Art Basel
- Community Access Art Collective
- Studio Route 29
- Shrine
- White Columns
- Museum of Modern Art
- SF MoMA
- Creative Growth
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- ActionSpace
- Stanley Picker Gallery
- Living Museum Basel
- Living Museum Society
- Franck Areal
- OMG, Franck!
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- New York
- Frenchtown
- New Jersey
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States