Artsicle

Artsicle was established in 2010 by co-founders Alexis Tryon and Scott Carleton, initially operating out of New York. The company launched with a distinctive business model focused on making original art more accessible to the general public through a rental service. Clients could rent original pieces of art for a monthly fee, providing them with a way to experience art in their own homes without the immediate commitment of a purchase. This model targeted individuals who were interested in art but might not have considered themselves traditional collectors.

The service functioned as an online gallery and discovery platform, showcasing emerging artists and helping them generate sustainable income. For a monthly fee starting around $25-$50, customers could browse and select artworks to be shipped and displayed in their space. The platform was designed to help users discover their personal taste by providing recommendations, and it also offered the option to purchase any piece they grew to love. In its early years, Artsicle gained recognition, being named one of the Silicon Alley 100 by Business Insider and lauded as the "Gallerists to the People" by The New York Times.

In 2013, the company pivoted its focus from art rentals to empowering artists to build their own businesses directly. Following this shift, Artsicle transformed into a non-profit discovery platform, functioning as one of the largest active artist directories with thousands of artists and artworks from over 100 countries. Despite its initial growth and pivot, the company officially ceased operations in June 2017, nearly seven years after its inception.

Keywords: art rental, emerging artists, online art gallery, art discovery platform, contemporary art, art subscription, original artwork, artist directory, New York startup, art commerce, affordable art, art collecting, Alexis Tryon, Scott Carleton, art market disruption, non-profit art, visual artists, art business model, art for homes, buy original art