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Luhring Augustine co-founder steps down to pursue philanthropy

Roland Augustine helped start the influential Chelsea gallery more than 40 years ago

Carlie Porterfield
14 January 2026
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Lauren Wittels, Lawrence Luhring and Donald Johnson Montenegro Courtesy Luhring Augustine

Lauren Wittels, Lawrence Luhring and Donald Johnson Montenegro Courtesy Luhring Augustine

Luhring Augustine announced that Roland Augustine, who co-founded the influential New York galley with Lawrence Luhring more than four decades ago, will retire from the business to focus on philanthropic efforts and advising independently.

“I’m retiring from the gallery, but I’m not retiring,” Augustine told ARTnews. “I leave on very good terms and with a sense of immense gratitude.”

Luhring and Augustine founded their eponymous gallery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in 1985, later moving to Soho before setting up shop in Chelsea in 1998. The gallery operated a Bushwick outpost between 2012 and 2023, and opened a Tribeca space in 2020. Artists on the gallery’s roster have included Christopher Wool, Salman Toor and Rachel Whiteread.

Augustine is a longtime trustee of Bard College in Upstate New York. He serves on the board of governors for both the Longy School of Music of Bard College and Bard College Berlin. He was the president of the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) between 2006 and 2009.

Luhring told ARTnews that he has bought out Augustine’s share of the gallery, and that he anticipates the gallery will change its name. Luhring will remain at the helm, and the longtime employees Donald Johnson Montenegro and Lauren Wittels will be promoted to gallery principals.

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