Exclusive Update on the Gallery Girls

Maggie Schaffer

Bravotv.com: What’s going on with you now? Did you find a job
Maggie Schaffer: I took the summer off because I needed, and still, need to figure out if I want to be involved with the art world any more. I don't know if this shady, every man for themselves environment is too much for me. This process has opened my eyes to how naive I was and really tarnished my love for the art world. I'll be the first to say I don't know if I'm cut out for it and it breaks my heart to think that.

Bravotv.com: What’s the status with you and Eli? Are you on good terms?
MS: Eli and I are not in bad terms, but we currently don't speak. I know that Eli can sometimes let power go to his head and isn't always the most diplomatic person, but none of us can deny his success as a gallery owner. I think, at times, Eli is a great person and I'm happy for his successes. However, I didn't agree with the way he treated me (as you saw) and it was very upsetting to watch at times.

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
MS:I was most surprised by the Miami Meltdown between Liz and me. While I fully acknowledge that what happened at Moaki was wrong and that Ryan and myself are partially responsible, I didn't think at the time that it would be friendship ending. After I saw how Liz dragged Ryan through the mud, calling him disgusting, cheap, and suggesting that he using me, I knew the friendship was over. I made a conscious effort to not talk about her boyfriend in a negative light and it was a sobering moment. I finally learned who the real Liz is.

Bravotv.com: Any advice for people wanting to break into the art world?
MS: I think anyone who wants to break in the art world should really think about it. You have to devote so much effort to getting a limited number of jobs. In college I drove from Pennsylvania to New York City three days a week, stayed in hotels and spent countless hours on a bus, just to do internships. I thought with all that effort I would find a job right away. Don't come into it over confident, it's a real struggle.

Amy Poliakoff

Bravotv.com: Were you shocked that Maggie came to you and apologized?
Amy Poliakoff: I was at Mokai night club the night that Maggie and Liz had their drama. I noticed all the girls were leaving. I wasn't involved with the drama. I only heard that their was an issue later. I was totally shocked when Maggie came to me as we did not have a relationship really at that time. I am not shocked by Liz's reaction. It was a surprise that Maggie came to me and it really meant a lot to me that she came to me for advice.

Bravotv.com: How shocked where you when you found out that you had taken the job Maggie was also after? Are you on good terms?
AP: Maggie and I are on good terms. She came to me with an apology like an adult. I'd say fate happens for a reason. We both were looking for gallery work, and I was a better fit for the gallery and their programming. Everyone has a path and I think Maggie will find a new direction to travel.

Bravotv.com: Where are you working now? Are you still at the same gallery?
AP: I am still at Bernarducci.Meisel.Gallery and enjoy handling their public relations. The gallery represents some great established and emerging contemporary photo-realists. It has been a pleasure learning about this niche market and working for Frank Bernarducci. Also, in the end my father did not sell the apartment -- but I just signed a lease to a new pad and look forward to starting that adventure.

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
AP: Seeing the other womens' commentary and reactions on scenes is not only a surprise but interesting as it can narrate and navigate the way things happened. I like walking down the street and having random people say "Hey it's a Gallery Girl!" Always gives me a smile on my face.

Bravotv.com: Any advice for people wanting to break into the art world?
AP: Intern, intern, intern!

Liz Margulies

Bravotv.com: What’s happening with you now? Are you friendly with any of your Gallery Girl counterparts?
Liz Margulies: I'm still at SVA. Kerri and I are really great friends! We hang out all the time

Bravotv.com: Are you still working at Eli’s?
LM: No.

Bravotv.com: How is your relationship with your dad?
LM: A lot better. We talk a few times a week now!

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
LM: It surprised me that some people were still so fake, almost like they were trying to play a part. The reactions I have gotten have been mostly positive. People seem to appreciate someone who doesn't pretend to be someone they're not, and I'm really glad that I was myself.

Bravotv.com: Any advice for people wanting to break into the art world?
LM: It's all about who you know. You can have a degree in art history and study modern and contemporary art for four years, but if you don't get yourself out there and network, no one will give you a job. Being enthusiastic and staying positive always helps, too!

Angela Pham

Bravotv.com: What’s going on with you now? Are you still working on your photography? Or have you moved on to something else?
Angela Pham: I'm still working on photography. I just quit my waitressing job to try to focus on more long-term goals, but of course that means less splurging on clothes or travel. I'm hustling as always! So yes, still passionate about creating photos and am eager to turn it into a viable career.

Bravotv.com: Do you regret telling Chantal what Claudia said? Is everything fine with you guys now?
AP: Re: Claud and Chantal, I am notoriously bad with secrets. Always get myself in these situations! Yet another thing I can improve on.

Bravotv.com: Are you any closer to accomplishing your goal of being an “it” girl?
AP: I can never be an it-girl because I don't know how to DJ. One of the biggest prerequisites in NY.

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
AP: People are so positive (in real life) about the show and I'm grateful for their politeness. I got recognized in Paris by French girls who loved the show. That was really special.

Claudia Martinez Reardon

Bravotv.com: So what’s going on with End of Century?
Claudia Martinez Reardon: We're better than ever. We've started integrating the store and gallery components of the space by presenting installations that merge fashion and art. Our current exhibition, Initiation, is an installation of wearable art pieces by Cave Collective. There is also an interactive colorful, hanging sanctuary that you can literally sit in, and 12 sound artists, additionally, contributed original pieces for the exhibition. Its up now until October. 18th and was recently written up on Elle.com. The installation really encompasses the mission of the space to be a platform for various forms of art, stretching to fashion, jewelry, music, and two-dimensional pieces. I hope food one day, too. But we'll see.

Bravotv.com: Are you and Chantal on good terms now?
CMR: Friendships have ups and downs, and with every challenge I think is a chance to grow. I'm trying my best now to focus on what I can do to be a better friend and better business partner, in general. Life is a series of evolutions, not absolutes, that's hard to translate on TV though.

Bravotv.com: Do you regret going into business with friends?
CMR: As opposed to going into business with some dude I met on a bus? No.

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
CMR: I was surprised at how negatively people reacted to Chantal, and also how little of the back-breaking part of our work day was left out. I guess people just wanted to see us in swim suits smoking cigars by a pool, though.

Bravotv.com: Any advice for people wanting to break into the art world?
CMR: If you don't see a clearing in the woods, grab a machete and make one for yourself.

Kerri Lisa

Bravotv.com: What’s going on with you now? Did you choose your internship or did you focus on your full time job?
Kerri Lisa: I decided to go back to my full time job at Four Hundred. My internship was an amazing learning experience and I am so thankful I met Sharon and she allowed me to intern for her for a few months. As much as I would have loved to do the internship for even longer, it was difficult to juggle both and I didn't want my performance at either job to suffer. I didn't want to take the chance of possibly losing my position at Four Hundred because I was so busy with everything else going on and just because I left the internship doesn't mean me being able to learn more about the art world is over.

I actually apply what I learned from the internship with Sharon to my full time job and other aspects of my life. I was promoted to Director of Travel and Art at Four Hundred, which is very exciting. I am now able to learn even more about the design process and art elements that are changing the hospitality business. I also facilitate all of the art requests that come into the company like finding/locating a certain work, planning art functions and events such as Art Basel (we are now starting to plan our event for Art Basel 2012). Sharon and I still keep in great contact and she helps me when I have a question, puts me in touch with certain contacts in the art world that I need to take care of particular requests and I am so lucky to know that I can still learn from all that she knows. In addition to working at Four Hundred, I am starting my own personal lifestyle blog that allows readers to learn more about the things that I love, know and enjoy such as art, culture, music, lifestyle, fashion, and travel. I am working on putting together content for this venture that will allow readers to learn and be aware of how art is playing a major role across all of these industries. I am also having fun collaborating with a new website in New York City and group of creative minds called "Brightest Young Things" as they approached me to write features on what I find exciting and creative. A twist on music, art, culture, nightlife in New York.

Bravotv.com: Are you still in your same West Village apartment?
KL: My lease on my apartment was actually just up and my landlord raised my rent A LOT so as much as I would have loved to stay in that apartment I thought it was smarter to move. I am currently in the process of finding a new apartment and looking for a roommate. I was so happy and proud of my West Village apartment but I realized that with my lifestyle and schedule it didn't make sense to live alone at this time in my life; it is extremely expensive and impractical being that I am hardly at the apartment to enjoy it. I also miss coming home after work and having a friend to hang out with, talk to, drink wine, confide in and enjoy my extra time with. I plan on staying in the downtown area hopefully West Village, SoHo, East Village, Tribeca. Stay tuned! Hopefully I'll be able to start saving some money to travel more!

Bravotv.com: Do you regret telling Sharon about Amy’s behavior now knowing it got her fired?
KL: First and most importantly, I did not get Amy fired, Amy got herself fired by doing multiple things that would get any intern fired. Like being late, not taking care of the tasks given, and making up fake tasks to give your fellow intern to make yourself look better. I don't regret telling Sharon about Amy's behavior. I do internships to learn and I am going to ask the person I am interning for questions when certain things come my way that are confusing or that may interfere with my performance. Give me a break, anyone who has ever had a real job or real responsibilities would have done the same thing as me. I didn't go to Sharon to try to make Amy look bad, I was honestly confused with what Amy brought forward to me and wanted to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

Bravotv.com: What surprised you most watching the show? How have people reacted to you after seeing the show?
Kerri Lisa: I think I was most surprised by how catty a lot of the other girls are and were. I honestly do not judge people and give everyone the benefit of the doubt unless I have seen them honestly disrespect me or do something negative to me. I enjoyed getting to know the girls and for the most part thought they were all good and mature people. However, after watching the show and seeing/hearing some of the things they would say in their confessionals I was really surprised and also disappointed and sometimes hurt. How someone can be so nice to your face and then go behind your back and talk s--- about you behind your back for no good reason is still something i will never understand. I also was surprised at how well I kept my stress in control. I was EXTREMELY stressed during the month's we filmed the show when I was working full time at Four Hundred and interning for Sharon. I was getting less sleep than usual, my social life was pretty much non-existent, and I was just constantly running around; I look pretty composed in the show so I saw how well I did under pressure. I do wish I was able to have more fun during the process though so that more of my personality could have come through. I have been receiving extremely positive feedback and reactions from people who have seen the show. Not only my friends and family, but strangers! There have been a few instances, one time I was on the subway and an older woman before getting off at her stop said "Keep up the great work! You are my favorite Gallery Girl!", that was a surprise! But it is really nice that other people see how hard I was working and got a sense of the kind of person I am.

Bravotv.com: Any advice for people wanting to break into the art world?
KL: Go out and network! Check to see what events are going on in your city and go to them! Don't let the art world or any industry that you are interested in for that matter intimidate you. More people than you would think are happy to share their knowledge and help point you in the direction you want to go to. There is no time like the present!